Abstract
Raspberry cane disease, caused by a complex of fungi, is amongst the most devastating problems for raspberry production. Using resistant or highly tolerant genotypes is a promising strategy. However, until now, cultivars with good field resistance for German fruit growers as well as the primary causal pathogens of cane disease present in the eastern part of Germany, Saxony state are still unknown. The primary objective of this study was to identify the primary disease causing organisms and resistant Rubus germplasm for future breeding efforts. From 2012 to 2014, we evaluated the degree of susceptibility to cane diseases on 213 raspberry cultivars at two different locations using a rating scale. We also identified the main fungi growing on infected canes. Our results suggest that Fusarium avenaceum is the main fungus causing cane disease in Saxony. The Rubus hybrid cultivars ‘Tayberry’ (2n = 6x = 42), ‘Buckingham Tayberry’ (2n = 6x = 42) and ‘Dorman Red’ (2n = 2x = 14) displayed the highest levels of field resistance at both locations. Moreover, we established an in vitro assay for resistance evaluation which correlates significantly with field data and is particularly suitable for quick assessment of resistance against F. avenaceum in breeding material. Future breeding programs, aiming at cultivars with enhanced resistance towards cane diseases can use the presented data for parental selection and may employ our in vitro F. avenaceum inoculation method for parental testing and progeny selection.
Highlights
In 2016, the worldwide production of raspberries amounted to 795,249 t, with about 75% (498,353 t) produced in Europe (Faostat 2016)
Our results suggest that Fusarium avenaceum is the main fungus causing cane disease in Saxony
Raspberry cane disease is caused by various phytopathogenic fungi, including Fusarium avenaceum (Fusarium wilt), Didymella applanata, Leptosphaeria coniothyrium and Botrytis cinerea with F. avenaceum being the major cause of cane diseases in Northern Germany (Williamson and Hargreaves 1979; Weber and Entrop 2008)
Summary
In 2016, the worldwide production of raspberries amounted to 795,249 t, with about 75% (498,353 t) produced in Europe (Faostat 2016). In Germany, raspberry production decreased from 29,700 t in 2002 to 5617 t in 2016, despite the overall increase in the worldwide raspberry production (Faostat 2016). This phenomenon is the result of multiple factors, including high production costs, increased labor costs and an increase in the occurrence of several plant diseases, including black root rot, the spread of fungicide-resistant Botrytis strains and cane diseases (Graham et al 2011; Rupp et al 2016). Afterwards disease symptoms are progressing until the end of August, beginning of September
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