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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #265655

Title: Significant increase in titer of Raspberry bushy dwarf virus when present in combination with Raspberry leaf mottle virus and its effect on raspberry plants

Author
item QUITO-AVILA, D - Oregon State University
item Martin, Robert

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/25/2011
Publication Date: 8/2/2011
Citation: Quito-Avila, D.F., Martin, R.R. 2011. Significant increase in titer of Raspberry bushy dwarf virus when present in combination with Raspberry leaf mottle virus and its effect on raspberry plants. Phytopathology. 101(6):149.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Raspberry crumbly fruit is a virus-induced disease widespread in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV) has been attributed as the causal agent of the disease. Recently, the identification of two new viruses: Raspberry leaf mottle virus (RLMV) and Raspberry latent virus (RpLV) in northern Washington (WA) and British Columbia, where crumbly fruit is more prevalent, suggested the existence of a new virus complex responsible for the increased severity of the disease. In efforts to determine the role of the new viruses in crumbly fruit, 'Meeker' plants containing single and mixed infections of RBDV, RLMV, or RpLV were developed and used to establish field trials. Plant growth during the first year was significantly reduced in plants infected with all three viruses and the combination RBDV/RLMV when compared to control and singly-infected plants. Quantitative RT-PCR tests revealed that the titer of RBDV was increased 800-fold when it occurred in mixed infections with RLMV compared to RBDV in single infections. In addition, a survey of RpLV and RLMV in WA and Oregon revealed that RLMV is present at very high incidence (up to 100% in 5-year old fields) in northern WA, whereas the incidence in southern WA and Oregon, where crumbly fruit is not a problem, was considerably lower (40% in 8-year old plantings). These findings open the possibility that crumbly fruit disease could be managed by targeting RLMV’s vector, the aphid Amphorophora agathonica.