Author
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Martin, Robert |
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Submitted to: Compendium on Blueberry and Cranberry Diseases
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 12/5/2007 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Blueberry shock disease first observed in Washington state in 1987 and initially confused with blueberry scorch caused by Blueberry scorch virus (BlScV). However, shock affected plants produced a second flush of leaves after flowering and the plants appeared normal by late summer except for the lack of fruit. In subsequent years, plants flowered and fruited normally and did not exhibit any symptoms. Blueberry shock virus (BlShV) has been identified throughout the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington and British Columbia) but not in any other blueberry growing regions of the world. All cultivars of highbush blueberries that have been inoculated develop the same pattern of symptoms and recover fully, though in a few cases, e.g. Rubel, plants exhibit a leaf spot symptom the first year after the initial symptoms. The rate of spread varies with cultivar with very rapid spread in Berkeley, Bluetta, Earliblue, Pemberton and Bluegold but slow spread in cultivars such as Bluecrop, Duke or Blueray. Eventually, all plants in a field become infected and one year's production is lost as the virus spreads through a field. BlShV has not been detected in native vegetation surrounding blueberry fields infected with the virus or in weeds within infected fields. The virus can survive in beehives for several weeks and can be spread from field to field in beehives. The disease is caused by a pollen-borne virus and the current recommendation is to let the disease run its course once it is established in a field. The use of preinoculated plants as a means of control is being investigated. |
