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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #198530
Title: BLACKBERRY VIRUS Y: A POTYVIRUS COMPONENT OF BLACKBERRY YELLOWS DISEASE

Author
item SUSAIMUTHU, J - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
item TZANETAKIS, I - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
item GERGERICH, R - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
item Martin, Robert

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2006
Publication Date: 7/29/2006
Citation: Susaimuthu, J., Tzanetakis, I.E., Gergerich, R.C., Martin, R.R. 2006. Blackberry virus Y: a potyvirus component of blackberry yellows disease. Phytopathology. 96:S112.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Blackberry yellows disease is an emerging threat to blackberry producers in the United States. Symptoms include progressive vein yellowing, die-back of floricanes and bush decline. The disease was originally thought to be caused by Blackberry yellow vein associated virus (BYVaV), a recently described crinivirus. However, BYVaV is known to be latent in several blackberry cultivars. Electron microscopic examination of symptomatic leaves showed potyviral-like inclusions, and dsRNA analysis, cloning and sequencing revealed a novel potyvirus named Blackberry virus Y (BVY). Spread of BVY was demonstrated by placing healthy Chester blackberry plants in the affected field throughout the blackberry growing season. BVY infected Chester sentinel plants were symptomless. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that BVY is related to eriophyid mite-transmitted potyviruses. The dryberry mite, Phyllocoptes gracilis, was present in high numbers in blackberry buds, but attempts to transmit BVY with this mite were unsuccessful. Several other species of eriophyid mites have been observed on blackberry leaves from the field. Tests are underway to determine if these mites transmit BVY. Graft transmission tests between blackberry plants that are latently infected with BVY and BYVaV are being conducted to determine if mixed infections lead to symptoms of blackberry yellows disease.