Abstract
Vineyard surveys of Corinth raisin cultivar carried out
in the Peloponnese region of Greece during 2002 and
of wine-producing grape cultivars (Cabernet Sauvi-
gnon and Grenache Rouge) on the island of Rhodes,
Greece, during 2003, demonstrated the occurrence of
various Aspergillus spp. in berries of bunches at
harvest. Aspergillus niger and A. carbonarius were pre-
dominantly isolated from sampled berries. Although
the prevailing Aspergillus spp. isolates belonged mainly
to A. niger aggregate, isolates of A. carbonarius were
by far the most efficient Ochratoxin A (OTA) produc-
ers as revealed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay test. This study provides the first evidence con-
cerning the composition of Aspergillus populations in
raisin and wine-producing vineyards and offers convin-
cing data for their ability to produce various levels of
OTA in Corinth raisins and wine-producing grapes in
Greece. Furthermore, it demonstrates that chemical
applications with the fungicide Switch, especially under
low to intermediate Aspergillus infection of vineyards,
could both significantly reduce the occurrence of
OTA-producing Aspergillus spp. and restrict sour rot
severity. In contrast, vineyard applications with the
fungicides Carbendazim or Chorus were ineffective in
controlling the fungus in Corinth raisin cultivar.