Integrating past lessons into improved management of cranberry false blossom disease

Authors: OUDEMANS, PETER - Rutgers University; Neyhart, Jeffrey; KAUR, JASPREET - Rutgers University; HAINES, MICHAEL - Pine Island Cranberry Company; WELLS-HANSEN, LINDSAY - Ocean Spray Cranberry; HOLLAND, LESLIE - University Of Wisconsin; Polashock, James; RODRIGUEZ SAONA, CESAR - Rutgers University; BESANCON, THIERRY - Rutgers University; SIDELI, GINA - Rutgers University

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/3/2026
Publication Date: 1/11/2026
Citation: Oudemans, P.V., Neyhart, J.L., Kaur, J., Haines, M.J., Wells-Hansen, L.D., Holland, L.A., Polashock, J.J., Rodriguez Saona, C., Besancon, T.E., Sideli, G.M. 2026. Integrating past lessons into improved management of cranberry false blossom disease. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-25-2382-FE.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-25-2382-FE

Interpretive Summary: Cranberry false blossom disease (CFBD) has long threatened cranberry production, first emerging in the late 19th century and recently resurging after decades of successful suppression. This review synthesizes historical and contemporary evidence to show that the renewed spread of CFBD is driven by shifts in pest management practices, the movement of infected planting material, and the widespread adoption of high-yielding cultivars that were never screened for resistance. By integrating more than a century of research on the phytoplasma pathogen, its blunt-nosed leafhopper vector, and host–plant interactions, our study demonstrates that no single tactic has ever been sufficient to control CFBD. Instead, the historical record and current outbreak patterns together reveal that an integrated approach combining rigorous vector monitoring, deployment of resistant or less-preferred cultivars, and modern molecular diagnostics for early detection is now essential for effective disease management. These findings highlight the need to re-establish coordinated, region-wide management programs that unite growers, breeders, and researchers to ensure long-term sustainability of cranberry production.

Technical Abstract: Cranberry false blossom disease (CFBD) has posed significant threats to cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) cultivation since its emergence in the late 19th century. This study reviews the epidemiology, historical management strategies, and recent resurgence of CFBD, with a focus on its causal phytoplasma pathogen and insect vector, the blunt-nosed leafhopper (BNLH), and the implications for disease control. Initial outbreaks in Wisconsin were characterized by floral phyllody and abnormal shoot development, and early misattribution of the disease to abiotic factors delayed effective interventions. The identification of BNLH as the primary vector catalyzed the development of integrated management strategies, including vector control through insecticides, flooding, and sanding, as well as the establishment of certification programs to restrict the spread of infected propagation material. Early cranberry breeding programs identified landraces with lower CFBD field incidence, and which were non-preferred for feeding by BNLH, leading to the first generation of improved cranberry cultivars. Despite successful suppression post-1950, CFBD has re-emerged since 2010, correlating with shifts in integrated pest management practices and the adoption of high-yielding cranberry cultivars lacking resistance screening. The resurgence underscores the need for renewed focus on vector monitoring, the development of resistant cultivars, and an understanding of phytoplasma-vector-host interactions. Contemporary management requires interdisciplinary collaboration, incorporating advances in molecular diagnostics, eco-epidemiological modeling, and breeding programs prioritizing CFBD resistance. The historical insights into CFBD control, combined with modern scientific approaches, provide a framework for mitigating current and future outbreaks, ensuring the sustainable production of cranberries in North America and beyond.