Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus

Key points

• Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV) is a newly detected virus in Australia affecting grapevines, primarily table grapes.
• Symptoms can be subtle or absent, so laboratory testing is essential.
• The virus spreads via infected plant material and mites, so strict biosecurity practices are critical to prevent it from spreading.
• Early reporting helps protect the health and productivity of Australia’s grape industry.

Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (Trichovirus necroacini) affects grapevines, including wine grapes, table grapes, and rootstocks. The virus spreads primarily through infected propagation material, including cuttings, grafts, and rootstocks, and can be spread by the Erineum mite

(Colomerus vitis), which is widespread and established in Australia. Scientifically, grapevines are the only plants it naturally affects in vineyard conditions. There is no known cure for infected vines.

Current situation

Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV) was first recognised in Japan in the 1980s and has since been reported in other grape-growing regions, particularly in parts of Asia.

It was first detected in Australia in October 2025, when it was reported in several grapevines and rootstocks of table grape varieties in Victoria and Queensland. In 2026, GINV was confirmed in South Australia in table grape vines by testing of asymptomatic mature grapevines.

In Australia, GINV has only been detected in table grape varieties, although it can spread to wine and dried fruit varieties as well.

The extent of the virus distribution in Australia is currently unknown due to the historical movements of vines from infected properties and the ability of the virus to be spread by the grape leaf bud mite.

GINV is not eradicable and has not been detected in NSW. There are no domestic or international trade restrictions in place because of this detection.

Description

The virus was first recognised in Japan in the 1980s and has since been reported in other grape- growing regions, particularly in parts of Asia. The disease is now established in China and Japan, where it is known to affect the health and productivity of susceptible varieties.

GINV affects plant growth and causes problems with both the leaves and fruit. Symptoms can vary depending on grape variety and environmental conditions.

Visual symptoms can include:

• reduced vine growth and vigour (Figure 1)
• delayed bud burst
• stunted or zig-zag shoots
• internal browning or necrosis of berries
• smaller leaves
• leaves might have yellow blotches or mosaic-like patterns (Figure 2) or small rings or irregular discolouration
• uneven fruit ripening
• internal browning of shoots (Figure 3)

Bunches might be more compact and unusually tight. Berries can be smaller and ripen slowly with reduced productivity, including reduced sugar and acid balance, resulting in compromised fruit quality.

Research by Fan et al. (2017) found that some infected cultivars did not show any symptoms and this might be related to the characteristics of certain cultivars and the environment, which result in latent GINV symptoms in grapevines. This potential latent status makes it necessary to detect GINV before vines are propagated to avoid unnecessary economic loss. As vines might not show symptoms, visual inspection alone is not appropriate for diagnosis; laboratory testing is required to confirm GINV.

Transmission and vectors

GINV is spread mainly by infected propagation material, such as cuttings, grafts, and rootstocks. The virus can also be transmitted by the Erineum mite (Colomerus vitis), also known as the grape leaf blister or bud mite.

Other potential vectors include people, machinery, and equipment that can carry mites or plant material between vineyards.

Prevention and management

Good vineyard hygiene and biosecurity practices are essential to avoiding spreading the virus. To reduce the risk of introduction and spread:

• Avoid sharing cuttings or propagation material with unknown health status.
• Only use certified virus-tested planting material from reputable suppliers.
• Maintain records of vine and propagation material sources.
• Monitor vineyards regularly for unusual symptoms.
• Manage mite populations by using integrated pest management (IPM) approaches, including biological, cultural, and chemical controls.
• Report anything unusual to the Plant Biosecurity Hotline on 1800 084 881.
• Maintain strict farmgate hygiene, including cleaning machinery and equipment between vineyards.
• Work in uninfected vineyards before entering infected areas to reduce cross-contamination.
• GINV cannot be eradicated.

If you see anything unusual or have any concerns, you can log an online request or report to NSW DPIRD here (https://www.dpird.nsw.gov.au/dpi/biosecurity/report-a-pest-or-disease).

Sample collection and submission

If you wish to get samples tested, you can contact New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development by:

• Phone 1800 675 623 or email laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au
• Samples can be sent to either:

Further information

Australian Table Grape Association (2026) Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV), https:// australiangrapes.com.au/grapevine-berry-inner-necrosis-virus-ginv/

Australian Wine Research Institute (2026) Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus, https://www.awri.com.au/ wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Grapevine-Berry-Inner-Necrosis-Virus-V.2.pdf

Fan XD, Zhang ZP, Ren F, Hu GJ, Zhou J, Li ZN, Wang G and Dong Y (2017) Occurrence and genetic diversity of grapevine berry inner necrosis virus from grapevines in China. Plant Disease, 101(1): 144–149, https:// doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-16-0694-RE

Government of South Australia, Department of Primary Industries and Regions (2026) Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV), https://pir.sa.gov.au/crops-and-plants/weeds-and-plant-pests/plant-pests/pests- and-diseases-of-significant-concern/grapevine-berry-inner-necrosis-virus

Plant Health Australia (2026) Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus, https://www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/ wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GINV-Factsheet_25022026.pdf

Vinehealth Australia (2026) Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus detection, https://vinehealth.com. au/2026/04/gin-virus-detection/

Last updated: June 2026