The flavescence dorée phytoplasma is one of the most dangerous pathogens of the grapevine, reducing yields by 20–50%, and the number of infected plants increases tenfold each year. This year, the number of infected areas has increased explosively, and entire plantations have perished irreversibly.
The vineyard of Zoltán Simon has also been affected by the infection; he managed to save only a part of his plantation by reacting in time. Hungary’s wine culture has been a defining part of all layers of society for centuries, yet at this very moment the sector is in a catastrophic situation: entire estates have been wiped out, and the lives and businesses devoted to winemaking are being destroyed — unless something is done immediately.
@negynegynegy is a Sphera Network member and this story is part of our “Rural” series.
