Application of sulfur dust to control fungal disease and outbreak of phylloxera

Date or time period: 1860s

During the 1860s, application of sulfur dust was found to be an effective control measure for fungal diseases such powdery mildew. However, in 1868 the root-eating insect, Phylloxera vastatrix (Dactylasphora vitifoliae) was first identified in France and threatened almost every Vitis vinifera vine in Europe