Author
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Martin, Robert |
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Submitted to: Description of Plant Viruses
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2006 Publication Date: 11/17/2006 Citation: Martin, R.R. 2006. Blueberry scorch virus. Description of Plant Viruses. Available: http://www.dpvweb.net/dpv/showdpv.php?dpvno=415 Interpretive Summary: . Technical Abstract: Blueberry scorch disease was first described in the state of Washington in the USA by Martin and Bristow in 1988 and it was later determined that Sheep Pen Hill disease, described previously in New Jersey, USA was also caused by Blueberry scorch virus (BlScV). BlScV has flexuous, rod-shaped particles c. 690 nm in length by 14 nm in width, which contain a single molecule of positive-sense ssRNA of 8514 bp and a single capsid protein of approximately 33,500. The virus is transmitted in a non-persistent manner by several aphid species and can be transmitted mechanically to Chenopodium quinoa and Nicotiana occidentalis with difficulty. The virus occurs in Vaccinium species in North America and Europe. In most cultivars of highbush blueberry, infection with BlScV results in blighting of some of the flowers and leaves during the bloom period and in some cases flowers are retained into the following year and appear a silverish color. In some cultivars, the virus is symptomless or causes a mild chlorosis. Symptom expression can vary with strains of the virus. In cultivars that exhibit flower and leaf necrosis, yield losses can exceed 80%, whereas in symptomless cultivars there is no observable yield loss due to infection with BlScV. It has been detected in several Vaccinium species native to the Cascade Mountains of western North America and causes symptoms similar to those observed in highbush blueberry. It has also been reported in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), where it is symptomless. Control efforts require early detection, aphid control and plant removal. The control measures should be implemented for two years after the last infected plant has been removed from a field to allow for symptom expression in the most recently infected plants. There is no known source of resistance to BlScV in Vaccinium corymbosum. |
