CSIC researcher at ICVV, David Gramaje, has been awarded the 2026 Lee M. Hutchins Award by the American Phytopathological Society. The recognition will be presented in August at the Plant Health 2026 congress in Providence, highlighting his work on fungal diseases of grapevine wood, a problem affecting vineyards worldwide.
Molecular diagnosis and integrated vineyard management 🍇
Gramaje has developed molecular diagnostic tools that allow detection of fungal pathogens at early stages, even in nursery material. His approach integrates taxonomy, epidemiology, and microbiology to trace the disease cycle from young plants to mature vineyards. This method enables more precise control strategies and reduces fungicide use, improving crop sustainability without relying on single solutions.
Fungi in the wood: the silent enemy of the grape 🍷
Grapevine wood diseases give no warning: one day the vine is perfect, and the next it looks like it has seen a ghost. Gramaje has spent years chasing these fungi, which are harder to eliminate than a bad hangover after the harvest. The award recognizes that, at least, someone has managed to keep these pathogens from drinking it all up.