A leaf-blotch disorder of tayberry associated with the leaf and bud mite (Phyllocoptes gracilis) and some effects of three aphid-borne viruses

Abstract

SummaryTayberry plants showing conspicuous chlorotic blotches, ringspots, leaf distortion and lacking vigour were found at two sites in Scotland. The severity of the symptoms and the number of plants affected increased annually and reached 100% incidence at one site. No mechanically transmissible virus was detected in affected plants, but many such plants and some symptomless ones contained viruses indistinguishable in Rubus indicator plants from black raspberry necrosis, raspberry leaf mottle and raspberry leaf spot viruses. Propagants from healthy tayberry plants graft-inoculated either with these three viruses, singly and in combinations, or with scions from symptom-bearing tayberry, showed a faint chlorotic mottle when grown outdoors or in an unheated glasshouse but none developed the severe symptoms observed in the field. Leaves and buds of field-affected plants were found to be infested with large numbers of eriophyid mites at both sites. A single application of vamidothion to affected plants at one site resulted in significantly fewer mites and less severe symptoms on fruiting canes and primocanes than on unsprayed plants in the year of spraying and a further decrease in symptoms in the following year. The symptomatology, occurrence in Scotland and the decrease in symptoms following the application of vamidothion indicate that the disorder is caused by infestations by the leaf and bud mite (Phyllocoptes gracilis).