ABSTRACT
This study reports
Neofusicoccum parvum
for the first time in grapevine planting material in Montenegro, alongside the first detection of the endophytic fungus
Trichoderma citrinoviride
in the country. Recognising the critical role of healthy planting material in managing Grapevine Trunk Diseases (GTDs), asymptomatic grafted vines from a domestic nursery and imported sources were analysed. Fungal isolates were recovered from woody tissues and identified based on morphological characteristics and molecular sequencing of the ITS, TEF1‐α, TUB2, LSU and RPB2 genes.
Neofusicoccum parvum
was the sole GTD‐associated pathogen detected, confirming that planting material, particularly imports, represents a major pathway for disease introduction. Considering the analysis of planting material from multiple countries included in this study, these findings have significant phytosanitary implications for both Montenegrin viticulture and viticulture of the Balkan.
Trichoderma citrinoviride
, isolated from
Vitis vinifera
cv. Vranac in Montenegro, was evaluated both in vitro and
in planta
for antagonistic activity against
N. parvum
, showing promising inhibitory effects. These results highlight the urgent need for strict nursery sanitation and phytosanitary monitoring and provide a basis for further evaluation of
T. citrinoviride
as a potential biocontrol agent in sustainable GTD management.
