Abstract
Virus diseases of berry plants became more common and harmful in the 1960s, when berry cultivation expanded in Finland. Virus diseases seldom occur in strawberry because the main vector, Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, does not thrive in Finland. However NEPO-viruses are found in Finland in plant nurseries and in berry cultivations, and they may become a danger for strawberry as well as for raspberry growing. Both wild and cultivated raspberries are commonly infected by viruses. The vector aphids also occur in Finland. Reversion disease infects black currants. The veinbanding virus disease is common in red currants and gooseberries. Virus diseases of berries are poorely investigated in Finland. The healthy plant propagation and certification scheme was established in the 1970s. More research is needed in order to understand our virus problems, to develop proper test methods, and to prevent virus spread.
Highlights
Virus diseases of berry plants were nearly unknown in Finland until the 19705
The general market situation was favourable for berry cultivation because dairy industry began to use more berries and fruit in their products, e.g. yoghurts
Strawberry cultivation area increased from 953 ha in 1973 to 2825 ha in 1983 (Yearbook Of Farm Statistics 1983)
Summary
Virus diseases of berry plants were nearly unknown in Finland until the 19705. The area of black currant, the second important berry, has not increased recently, but many black currant fields were replanted in the 19705, partly as a attempt to control mildew (Sphaerotheca ribis) by using a more resistant cultivar than before. The rapid increase in commercial berry growing increased the demand for propagation material. In this situation plant nurseries failed to keep the quality of planting material high enough, and lots of ungenuine and diseased plants were produced and sold. At the beginning of the 19705, a committee was called to plan the production of healthy and genuine propagation material of berry plants, and tests to index their virus diseases were carried out. In 1976, the healthy plant propagation programme was confirmed and settled by law, and a station to maintain and propagate healthy and genuine planting material was founded (Bremer and Ylimäki 1978)
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