Author
 |
Martin, Robert |
|
Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 12/18/2009 Publication Date: 12/18/2009 Citation: Martin, R.R. 2009. Virus and virus-like diseases of importance in blueberry. Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo Proceedings. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Over the past 15 years, blueberry production has increased dramatically in acres grown and in the number of countries producing blueberries. It should be expected that as blueberry cultivation continues to expand into new areas, the plants will become exposed to viruses that have not been observed in blueberry previously. Most blueberries are grown in North America, and that is where most viruses of the crop have been described. Blueberry scorch, an aphid-transmitted Carlavirus, can be very devastating and is the virus of greatest importance, in terms of management and quarantine. Blueberry red ringspot (BRRSV), a Caulimovirus, has been spreading in the mid and southern Atlantic states, but spread has not been observed or is slow in other areas. Blueberry shock, a pollen-borne Ilarvirus, is interesting in that it causes a 100% crop loss for one year, and then plants recover to full production in subsequent years with no apparent loss in yield or fruit quality. The nepoviruses Tomato and Tobacco ringspot can be important in some areas, but Peach rosette mosaic has only been observed in experimental blocks. Blueberry shoestring is still an important virus in Michigan, but less so in other areas. Blueberry leaf mottle has not been considered important in the past decade but recent surveys have shown that it is still present in Michigan and its importance needs to be assessed. A new ringspot of blueberry in the southeastern United States has been observed since 2007 and a Cilevirus has been associated with the disease. Whether these viruses individually or in combination with other viruses cause the disease is still unknown. There is also a phytoplasma, Blueberry stunt, which occasionally affects blueberry. In addition, there are several other diseases that appear to be caused by viruses, but a causal virus has not been identified. Cranberry, another widely planted Vaccinium, has two additional viruses reported, Tobacco streak virus and Cucumber mosaic virus. At this point, CMV is associated with funky flower disease in cranberry. |
