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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #424538
Research Project: Genetic Improvement of Blackberry, Red and Black Raspberry, and Blueberry

Location: Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit

Title: Breeding for resistance to significant disease and insect pests of red and black raspberry (Rubus idaeus and R. occidentalis) in the Pacific Northwest

Author
item PHIPPS, SAVANNAH - Oregon State University
item Bassil, Nahla
item Delong, Jeffery
item HOASHI-ERHARDT, WENDY - Washington State University
item Lee, Jana
item VINING, KELLY - Oregon State University
item Weiland, Gerald
item Zasada, Inga
item Hardigan, Michael

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2025
Publication Date: 6/27/2025
Citation: Phipps, S.N., Bassil, N.V., DeLong, J.A., Hoashi-Erhardt, W., Lee, J.C., Vining, K.J., Weiland, G.E., Zasada, I.A., Hardigan, M.A. 2025. Breeding for resistance to significant disease and insect pests of red and black raspberry (Rubus idaeus and R. occidentalis) in the Pacific Northwest. HortScience. 60(7):1180-1199. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18571-25.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18571-25

Interpretive Summary: The Pacific Northwest is a key region for raspberry production in the US. Breeders supporting PNW raspberry production are challenged by an array of pests and diseases that are also relevant to the global raspberry community. This article reviews the state of PNW raspberry breeding programs, historic and recent pests and diseases that are being tackled by their breeding efforts, and emerging genomic and phenomic technologies in need of investigation to accelerate development of raspberry cultivars that have resistant to multiple biotic stresses. Furthermore, it clarifies our current understanding of the ability to incorporate genetic resistance to various destructive pests and pathogens into raspberry cultivars.

Technical Abstract: Developing cultivars that are resistant to multiple biotic stresses is an important objective in raspberry plant breeding. Diseases such as Raspberry bushy dwarf virus and Phytophthora root rot have long been a high priority for raspberry breeding programs, while other pests, such as spotted wing drosophila and the root lesion nematode, have more recently been considered. Breeding for improved resistance to these stresses has relied primarily on conventional breeding methods. However, rapid technological progress and increased access and affordability of genomic and phenomic methodologies may accelerate breeding and improve selection efficiency for genetic resistance to pests and pathogens. Such advancements are understudied for application in raspberry but are emerging as a significant research interest. Here we review the current state of plant breeding research for the most significant diseases and pests affecting raspberry production in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Additionally, we discuss new and relevant plant breeding methodologies that could contribute to future breeding objectives.