Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #255308

Title: Identification of Resistance to the Large Raspberry Aphid in Black Raspberry

Author
item DOSSETT, MICHAEL - Oregon State University
item Finn, Chad

Submitted to: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/12/2010
Publication Date: 9/1/2010
Citation: Dossett, M., Finn, C.E. 2010. Identification of resistance to the large raspberry aphid in black raspberry. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 135(5):438-444.

Interpretive Summary: Black raspberry production is severely impacted by the Black raspberry necrosis virus transmitted by the large raspberry aphid (Amphorophora agathonica). This and other aphids are important vectors of viruses in Rubus across North America. Although breeding for aphid resistance has long been recognized as an important tool for protecting red raspberries from viral infection, this is the first report of resistance to A. agathonica in black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis). Seedlings from 132 wild populations of black raspberries, representing the species’ native range, were screened for aphid resistance. Strong resistance was found in three of these populations, one from Ontario (ORUS 3778), one from Maine (ORUS 3817), and one from Michigan (ORUS 4109). Aphid resistance in ORUS 3778 and ORUS 3817 is dominant and appears to be conferred by different genes. We propose that the genes for aphid resistance in ORUS 3778 and ORUS 3817 be designated Ag4 and Ag5 respectively. Aphid resistance in ORUS 4109 also appears to be controlled by a dominant allele at a single locus, but cannot be differentiated from Ag4 at this time. This information will allow us to better incorporate aphid resistance, and therefore virus resistance, into commercially viable black raspberry cultivars.

Technical Abstract: The large raspberry aphid, Amphorophora agathonica Hottes, is an important vector of viruses in Rubus across North America. Although breeding for aphid resistance has long been recognized as an important tool for protecting red raspberries from viral infection, this is the first report of resistance to A. agathonica in black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.). Seedlings from 132 wild populations of black raspberries, representing the species’ native range, were screened for aphid resistance. Strong resistance was found in three of these populations, one from Ontario (ORUS 3778), one from Maine (ORUS 3817), and one from Michigan (ORUS 4109). Aphid resistance in ORUS 3778 and ORUS 3817 is dominant and appears to be conferred by different genes. We propose that the genes for aphid resistance in ORUS 3778 and ORUS 3817 be designated Ag4 and Ag5 respectively. Aphid resistance in ORUS 4109 also appears to be controlled by a dominant allele at a single locus, but cannot be differentiated from Ag4 at this time.