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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #339577
Title: Expanding the scope of a single pathogen survey to solve the mystery of the ailing red raspberries

Author
item Weiland, Gerald - Jerry
item BENEDICT, CHRIS - Washington State University
item Zasada, Inga
item Beck, Bryan
item Davis, Elizabeth
item Graham, Kimberly
item Peetz, Amy
item Martin, Robert
item DUNG, JEREMIAH - Oregon State University
item REYES GAIGE, ANDRES - Oregon State University
item THIESSEN, LINDSEY - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/17/2017
Publication Date: 12/1/2017
Citation: Weiland, G.E., Benedict, C., Zasada, I.A., Beck, B.R., Davis, E.A., Graham, K., Peetz, A.B., Martin, R.R., Dung, J., Reyes Gaige, A., Thiessen, L. 2017. Expanding the scope of a single pathogen survey to solve the mystery of the ailing red raspberries [abstract]. Phytopathology. 107:S5.4. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-107-12-S5.1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Washington state produces almost 60% of the processed raspberries ($79 M value) in the U.S. Production is severely limited by Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV) and the soilborne pathogens Phytophthora rubi and Pratylenchus penetrans. However, in 2012, growers began noticing plants with unusual symptoms that were not attributed to any of these pathogens. Starting in late summer, individual primocanes or entire plants would suddenly wilt and die. Adjacent plants were often chlorotic and stunted. Early diagnostic work indicated that Verticillium dahliae was the culprit at three locations, but analyses of soil populations often produced conflicting results depending on the lab and detection method. Growers became concerned that this pathogen was a previously undiagnosed problem for the industry. Therefore, a survey was conducted to determine if V. dahliae was common in production fields, to determine if V. dahliae was associated with disease, and to compare the sensitivity of two detection methods (selective media versus qPCR) for quantifying V. dahliae in the soil. The presence of P. rubi, P. penetrans, and RBDV was also assessed. In 2013 to 2014, primocanes, roots, and soil were collected from 51 disease sites and 20 healthy sites within 24 production fields. Results show that V. dahliae is common and that qPCR is more sensitive than plating for detection. But, the main question remains, which pathogen(s) are causing the disease? Come find out!