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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Washington, D.C. » National Arboretum » Floral and Nursery Plants Research » Research » Research Project #427800

Research Project: Combatting Rose Rosette Disease: Short-term and Long-term Approaches

Location: Floral and Nursery Plants Research

Project Number: 8020-22000-042-004-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Oct 1, 2014
End Date: Aug 31, 2019

Objective:
This project will determine best management practices (BMPs) to control rose rosette disease (RRD) caused by rose rosette virus (RRV), including development of detection methods with improved sensitivity and reliability; monoclonal antibodies specific for RRV will also be developed. Study of the biology of the eriophyid mite vector of RRV will include examination of environmental effects on the mite; comparison of interactions of the mite with resistant and susceptible rose genotypes, and leaf morphology of resistant and susceptible rose genotypes. BMPs will be combined with plant breeding and genetics to identify genes for resistance to either RRV or to the eriophyid mite vector. Identified genes and associated molecular markers will be utilized to transfer resistance into breeding lines and introgression of resistance into newly created cultivars to benefit the rose industry followed. An extension component will ensure transfer of knowledge generated from the project to rose breeders, producers, and consumers, and will aid implementation of BMPs to minimize future impacts of RRV on rose production and longevity in the landscape. A marketing and economics component will evaluate consumer preferences and the acceptability of novel cultivars, as well as any associated increased cost and new production methods required for implementation of BMPs.

Approach:
Improved diagnostics methods include examining differences between varieties of sensitivity and reliability of RT-PCR and qRT-PCR, LAMP assay, lateral flow assay, and monoclonal and single-chain antibodies. Virus movement within plants after infection and over the course of the growing season will be examined together with environmental effects on both the virus and the mite vector. Mite acquisition of the virus will be examined. Control of mites will be examined via chemical methods, and by cultural controls, including selective pruning, rouging of infected plants, and use of windbreaks. Field trials for mite and virus resistance will be carried out in Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Delaware, while greenhouse and screenhouse tests will occur in Oklahoma. Genotyping by sequencing and SNP maps will be developed, progeny of resistant x susceptible evaluated, both QTLs and molecular markers analyzed, and plants phenotyped for RRD resistance. Training will be provided to plant disease diagnosticians, gardeners, landscapers, and both production and retail nurseries. Surveys for rose trait values, market barriers, and consumer acceptability will be performed.