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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #302112
Title: Blackberry (Rubus spp.)-Virus Diseases

Author
item Martin, Robert
item PSCHEIDT, JAY - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Control Handbook
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/5/2014
Publication Date: 6/8/2014
Citation: Martin, R.R., Pscheidt, J. 2014. Blackberry (Rubus spp.)-Virus Diseases. Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook. Available: http://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/node/2805/print.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Many viruses have been found in blackberries in the Pacific Northwest. Blackberry calico virus (a carlavirus) is universally present in older commercial 'Thornless Loganberry' fields. Similar calico diseases occur in field-run 'Marion', 'Chehalem', 'Olallie', and 'Waldo' blackberries. Other virus diseases known to infect blackberries in the Pacific Northwest include Strawberry necrotic shock virus (aka Tobacco streak virus), an ilarvirus transmitted by unknown means, and Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV), which infects pollen and is therefore transmitted by honeybees. RBDV was found in 4 of 32 fields surveyed in 2000. Strawberry necrotic shock virus and Raspberry bushy dwarf virus can be detected serologically. A control program for blackberry viruses must begin with nursery stocks propagated from virus-indexed sources known to be fruitful. Such sources are commercially available. Plant only certified stock. There are at least 12 additional viruses that are common in the southeastern U.S. in blackberry, thus, care should be taken if importing plant material from there. Each of those viruses is symptomless in single infections, so laboratory testing must be carried out to ensure that these viruses are not introduced into the PNW.