Black Currant Plants Research Articles

Effects of fertilization and climatic factors in a long-term experiment with blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) cv. Ben Tron

Two-year-old blackcurrant plants cv. Ben Tron were planted in 1991 to investigate long-term effects of seven fertilization strategies. Broadcast fertilization was given in spring and autumn, fertigation from May until August, or a combination of fertigation and broadcast fertilization. Three fertilizer rates were used, and the amount was increased three times during the trial because of low mineral content in the leaves and insignificant yield response. Yield parameters, macro nutrient content in leaves and content of soluble solids in fruit juice were recorded over 11 years. The variation between years was significant for all parameters recorded, but the fertilization strategies had only a minor effect over time. Content of macro nutrients in leaves was low compared to recommended values, and did not respond significantly to increasing fertilizer amounts. Yield decreased with plant age. Frost reduced yield in at least two years, but few significant correlations with precipitation and temperature were found. A good water access seems to be important for a stable fruit yield, while precipitation during flowering is likely to reduce yield because of fruit drop.

New data on transuranium elements in the ecosystem of the Yenisei river floodplain

The aim of the study is to investigate levels of transuranium elements in the ecosystem of the Yenisei river floodplain in the vicinity of the Mining-and-Chemical Combine of Rosatom. For the first time, the transuranium isotopes 243,244Cm have been detected in sediment, floodplain soil, and a berry shrub (Ribes nigrum – the blackcurrant) in the floodplain of the Yenisei river. The highest level of curium isotopes registered in the sediment of the Yenisei river is 21.4Bq/kg (dry), which is more than twice higher than maximum curium levels reported for soils sampled not far from the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant. Blackcurrant plants growing on radioactively contaminated soils contain the same transuranium elements as the soil (plutonium isotopes, americium, and curium). The highest activity concentrations of all transuranic elements have been found in ashed roots of the blackcurrant plants: 239,240Pu – 9.3Bq/kg, 241Am – 6.9Bq/kg, and 243,244Cm – 1.8Bq/kg. The highest soil-plant transfer factor (TF) for 243,244Cm is determined for roots – 0.073; the TF of 243,244Cm in berries is 0.027. The TF for 239,240Pu in berries is 0.006, which is several times lower than the TF for 243,244Cm. Analysis of our results and the literature data suggests that TFs for 243,244Cm are higher than those for 239,240Pu and 241Am.

Response of Black Currant to Boron Fertilization

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine the reproductive and vegetative response of black currant to soil and foliar applications of boron (B). The experiment was carried out during the 2001 and 2002 seasons in a commercial plantation in central Poland on mature ‘Ojebyn’ black currant planted on a sandy loam soil with low status of hot-water-soluble B. Black currant bushes were foliar or soil supplied with B (as boric acid). Foliar B sprays were made on the same bushes 3 times per season (2 weeks before flowering, at the beginning of blooming, and at petal fall) at a rate of 0.2 kg ha−1 in each spray treatment. Soil B was applied at a rate of 2 kg ha−1 at the bud break stage. Bushes untreated with B served as the control. The results showed that vigor of black currant bushes, weight of 100 berries, and soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity of fruit were unaffected by B fertilization. Foliar B sprays increased B concentrations in flowers and leaves, and also enhanced the fruit set and as well as cropping of black currants. Soil B application enhanced leaf B status but had no effect on flower B level and plant yield. These results indicate that foliar B sprays applied at or around the time of flowering should be recommended for black currant plantations to increase productivity of plants containing an insufficient flower B level.

Effects of defoliation on black currant (<I>Ribes nigrum l.</I>) infection by <I>Armillaria</I> species

Field inoculation trials and laboratory studies were used to investigate the effects of defoliation stress on potted black currant plants and the infection by English and African isolates of Armillaria. Defoliation has varying effects on the carbohydrate, fatty acids and amino acids contents of roots. All isolates of Armillaria tested infected black currant plants irrespective of stress treatment; with two of the test isolates, more of the infected plants were killed with defoliation treatment. Media supplemented with water extract from defoliated roots stimulated growth of isolates compared to media supplemented with extract from non-defoliated control root tissues. The differences observed in the pathogenic behaviour of isolates, may be of importance in the epidemiology of Armillaria infections. Key Words: Defoliation stress, Armillaria spp; blackcurrant Moor J. Agric. Res. Vol.4(1) 2003: 111-117

Improved PCR Detection of Blackcurrant reversion virus in Ribes and Further Evidence that It Is the Causal Agent of Reversion Disease

Within 5 years of mechanically inoculating blackcurrant cultivars with partially purified preparations of particles of Blackcurrant reversion virus (BRV), infected plants developed leaf and flower bud symptoms typical of reversion disease, demonstrating that BRV is the causal agent of this disease. To improve the erratic immunocapture reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection of BRV in Ribes plants, various stepwise changes were made to the original protocol. Significant improvement in the reliability and sensitivity of BRV detection was made by extracting RNA from trapped BRV particles using Triton-X 100, the design of new primers with higher annealing temperatures, and the use of 'Ready-to-go' RT-PCR beads. These features, combined with other minor changes to the protocol, improved BRV detection in reverted blackcurrant plants from <50% to >90% but the reliability of BRV detection in red currant was always very much less and was possible only using nested PCR that was developed for this purpose.

CONTROL OF RASPBERRY AND BLACKCURRANT DISEASES BY TOLYLFLUANID

The effectiveness of tolylfluanid (Euparen Multi) for control of grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) of raspberry and blackcurrant and spur blight (Didymella applanata) of raspberry was evaluated in field experiments during 1995-2000. Euparen Multi treatment provided good control of grey mould. On raspberries, its effectiveness varied from 65% to 95% and was on the same level or only slightly lower than the best botryocide procymidone (Sumilex 500 SC). The efficacy of tolylfluanid in control of grey mould on blackcurrant plantations was also similar to procymidone treatments. On blackcurrant cv. 'Ojebyn', tolylfluanid additionally reduced white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) and septoria leaf spot (Septoria ribis) diseases. Spur blight and grey mould of raspberry canes were difficult to control on the very susceptible cultivar 'Malling Promise' and the efficacy of tolylfluanid treatments varied depending on the season.

Biotypes of Dasineura tetensi, differing in ability to gall and develop on black currant genotypes

AbstractVariation in damage levels on certain black currant, Ribes nigrum L., genotypes, caused by the black currant leaf midge, Dasineura tetensi (Rübs.) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), has been observed in northern Sweden. I investigated whether this variation is due to variation in virulence among midges. From a field population of midges, I successfully selected for virulence and avirulence, respectively, on the resistant black currant genotype cultivar ‘Storklas’ (called resistant genotype). The performance of avirulent and virulent midge larvae on two black currant genotypes were studied in experiments where first or second instar larvae were artificially transferred. There were no differences in larval survival and developmental rate between the two midge types when transferred to the susceptible currant genotype ‘7801–31’ (called susceptible genotype). Larvae of the virulent strain established galls and developed on ‘Storklas’ but development was initially slower there than on the susceptible currant genotype. Larvae of the avirulent strain suffered high mortality or remained in first instar on that same currant genotype when transferred alone, but developed readily if transferred together with virulent larvae. Larvae transferred in second instar to host plants susceptible to the larvae resumed feeding and developed further to maturity. Second instar larvae were also able to establish new galls even though these galls were not as well developed as those caused by first instar larvae. Black currant plantations in northern Sweden were surveyed and local midge populations were found to be composed of either avirulent, virulent or a mixture of both midge types. Virulent midges were not restricted to plantations where resistant currant genotypes were grown. I conclude that, at least, two biotypes of the midge exist, and that those two are distinguished by the ability to gall and survive on ‘Storklas’.

Expression of dehydrin-like genes in response to chilling in leaves of blackcurrant, Ribes nigrum L.

SummaryWe report the isolation of dehydrin-like genes (dhns) from cold-acclimated leaves of blackcurrant plants using RT-PCR with a guessmer primer based on known dehydrin DNA sequences. Several Dhn-like c-DNAs from Ribes nigrum were isolated and one (b8) with an internal lysine-rich coding sequence (K segment) was chosen for further characterization. Northern analysis conclusively demonstrated that b8 was chill-induced in vegetative tissues of R.nigrum (no transcripts could be detected at normal growth temperature). The cold induction of dhns was confirmed at the protein level using a polyclonal antibody immunoreactive to the K segments in DHNs.

Black Plastic Mulch and Between-row Cultivation Increase Black Currant Yields

Black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) plants of eight varieties were grown either through black plastic mulch or in bare soil and with the area between the rows cultivated or sodded with red fescue (Festuca rubra L.). Over 6 years, black plastic mulch increased yields by 26% over no mulch and cultivation between the rows increased yield by 32% compared to sod. The effect of both treatments was additive, cultivation and black plastic increased yield by 68% over grass and no black plastic. Growers are recommended to plant black currants through black plastic and avoid using sod between the rows.

Successful Back-inoculation Confirms the Role of Black Currant Reversion Associated Virus as the Causal Agent of Reversion Disease

Reversion is the most wide-spread and serious virus-like disease infecting black currant but the causal agent of the disease has not been described. Recently, we have isolated a new nepovirus from reversion-infected black currant and by using immunocapture-RT-PCR detection, we have shown that the virus is consistently associated with reversion disease (Lemmetty et al., Phytopathology 87: 404–413, 1997). These data suggested that the virus, tentatively called black currant reversion associated virus (BRAV), could be the causal agent of reversion disease. Here we report that the isolated virus was successfully inoculated back to healthy black currant plants by slash inoculation of in vitro propagated young recipient plants. Vein pattern symptoms identical or very similar to the reported early symptoms of reversion disease were produced in the virus-infected plants. Using immunocapture-RT-PCR, the virus was again detected from symptomatic but not from inoculated symptomless plants or from the mock-inoculated or uninoculated controls. Production of the acute reversion symptoms demonstrates that BRAV is the causal agent of reversion disease, and we therefore propose that the virus be named black currant reversion virus, abbreviated BRV.

Cloning and characterisation of the cDNA clones of five genes that are differentially expressed during ripening in the fruit of blackcurrant ( Ribes nigrum L.)

Measurements of respiration rate show that blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum cv. Ben Alder) fruit do not exhibit a respiratory climacteric during ripening, and that ripe fruit produce only very low levels of ethylene. Differential screening of a cDNA library constructed from RNA extracted from blackcurrant fruit enabled the isolation of the cDNA clones of five genes that showed gready enhanced steady-state transcript levels in fully ripe fruit compared with green fruit. The expression patterns of the corresponding genes were also determined in other tissues of the blackcurrant plant. The sequences of the cDNA clones were compared with known sequences in databases. Four of the clones were identified tentatively on the basis of sequence similarity. pRIB 1 was similar to a protein found in the fruit of kiwifruit, pRIB3 was similar to other plant metaUothionein-like proteins, pRIB6 to members of the cysteine proteinase family and pRIB7 to a mitochondrial RNA splicing protein. It was not possible to identify pRIB5 on the basis of sequence similarity. Southern analysis indicated that all of these genes were present in the blackcurrant genome at low copy number. Sequences similar to RIB 3 and RIB 5 are not present in the genomes of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) or Tayberry (Rubus loganobaccus). The nucleotide sequence data reported appears in the EMBL, GenBank and DDBJ Nucleotide Sequence Databases under the following accession numbers: AJ007576 (pRIBl), AJ007577 (pRIB3), AJ007578 (pRIB5), AJ007579 (pRIB6) & AJ007580 (pRIB7).

Ribes host range and erratic distribution within plants of blackcurrant reversion associated virus provide further evidence for its role as the causal agent of reversion disease

SummaryReversion is the most important disease of blackcurrant crops world‐wide yet, despite research over more than 70 yr, the causal agent of this disease has not been identified. We reported recently the isolation of a new virus from reverted blackcurrant which had a very close association with the two recognised forms of blackcurrant reversion disease, and was detected in vector gall mites from reverted plants and in plants on which such mites had fed (Lemmetty et al., 1997). These data suggest that this virus, tentatively called blackcurrant reversion associated virus (BRAV), may be the causal agent of reversion disease. We now report the detection of BRAV by immuno‐capture reverse‐transcriptase PCR (IC‐RT‐PCR) in redcurrant and in the wild species, Ribes spicatum and R. alpinum, other known hosts of the reversion agent, but not in the non‐host, gooseberry, graft‐inoculated with scions from reverted blackcurrant plants. We also demonstrate the erratic distribution of BRAV in reversion‐affected blackcurrant plants, another characteristic of the reversion agent. Taken together with our earlier findings, these new data add further support to the suggestion that BRAV is the causal agent of reversion disease. We also report how changes to the various parameters of sample preparation and of the IC‐RT‐PCR protocol affect the sensitivity of BRAV detection.

Purification and Properties of a New Virus from Black Currant, Its Affinities with Nepoviruses, and Its Close Association with Black Currant Reversion Disease

ABSTRACT Black currant reversion is a virus-like disease whose causal agent has not been identified. In rooted cuttings of a black currant plant affected with the severe form of the disease, pronounced chlorotic line patterns and ringspots developed in newly emerging leaves. From such symptom-bearing leaves, a virus was mechanically transmitted with difficulty to Chenopodium quinoa and, from this host, to other herbaceous test plants. The virus was purified and partially characterized, and the purified viri-ons were used for antiserum production. Virus particles were isometric, approximately 27 nm in diameter, and sedimented as two nucleoprotein components. They contained a protein species with a molecular mass of 55 kDa, which was readily degraded into a 54-kDa protein and two major RNA components of about 6,700 and 7,700 nucleotides (nt), each with a poly(A) tail. Most of these properties are shared by nepoviruses, but the virus was serologically unrelated to 14 nepoviruses or putative nepovi-ruses tested. However, the deduced sequence of 1,260 nt at the 3' end of one of the viral RNA species was distinct from any known viral sequence, except that it contained short regions of homology to the 3' terminal sequences of RNAs of seven other nepoviruses and two comovi-ruses. To detect this virus in Ribes plants, primers were designed from the known sequence to amplify a 210-nt region of the cDNA of the virus RNA using an immunocapture reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (IC-RT-PCR) protocol. Using this assay for the virus, we associated its presence with two recognized forms of black currant reversion disease occurring in Finland, Scotland, or New Zealand. We also detected the virus in vector gall mites from reverted plants and in black currant plants on which such vector mites had fed. However, the virus was not detected by IC-RT-PCR in known healthy Ribes plants; in Ribes plants free from reversion, but affected by three other distinct virus-like diseases of Ribes; or in plants infected with arabis mosaic, strawberry latent ringspot, or raspberry ringspot nepoviruses. These data suggest that this virus may be the causal agent of reversion disease, and it is tentatively called black currant reversion associated virus.

Rhabdovirus‐like and closterovirus‐like particles in ultrathin sections of Ribes species with symptoms of blackcurrant reversion and gooseberry veinbanding diseases

Summary.In attempts to determine the causal agents of blackcurrant reversion (BCRD) and gooseberry veinbanding (GVBD) diseases of Ribes species, details of the ultrastructure of different kinds of tissue from plants affected with these different diseases were studied. In three of 12 blackcurrant plants affected with BCRD, leaves and flowers of plants showing symptoms typical of the severe (R) form of the disease, contained rhabdovirus‐like particles c. 65–80 nm × 215–485 nm. They were seen most often in the nucleus of cells as single particles but were also found in clusters or rafts. In leaves, these virus‐like particles (VLPs) were present only in cells associated with the xylem parenchyma where they occurred as membrane‐bound clusters within the nucleus. In flowers, they were also found in phloem parenchyma cells in the peripheral cytoplasm and very occasionally in the cytoplasm of epidermal cells. All non‐nuclear VLPs were membrane‐bound, either singly or in groups and the membrane seemed to be part of the endoplasmic reticulum. The proportion of vascular cells containing these VLPs was very low (&lt; 1%). In a few cells, smaller bacilliform particles, c. 40–50 nm × 200–250 nm, were found in the nucleus together with the larger particles. Double‐membrane bodies, detected in fig leaves affected with fig mosaic (the agent of which is also mite‐transmitted), were not detected in any BCRD‐affected plants. In leaf tissue of one of three gooseberry and one of two blackcurrant plants affected with GVBD, two kinds of VLPs were found. Rhabdovirus‐like particles, similar to those in BCRD‐affected material, were present in the nuclei, perinuclear space and cytoplasm of xylem parenchyma cells. They were c. 60–72 nm × 155–230 nm but there was no evidence of the smaller rhabdovirus‐like particles detected in a few cells of BCRD‐affected tissues. The second kind of VLP was found in noncrystalline masses, with a mean centre‐centre spacing of c. 10 nm, in the cytoplasm of phloem cells. These particles, together with other ultrastructural changes, were typical of those reported for aphid‐transmitted closteroviruses. No badnavirus‐like particles, reported previously from GVBD‐affected plants, were observed in any of the plants studied. The significance of these findings in relation to these two important diseases of commercial Ribes species is discussed.

Growth and development in black currant (Ribes nigrum). III. Seasonal changes in sugars, organic acids, chlorophyll and anthocyanins and their possible metabolic background

SummaryPotted black currant plants of one year old ‘Tenah’, and three year old ‘Ben Nevis’ were grown in 1992 and 1993, respectively. Fruits were sampled at weekly intervals from shortly after anthesis until harvest. Fruit growth was measured as dry-matter increments, and changes in the composition of soluble sugars and acids were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and colours by spectrophotometry. High concentrations of sugars, malic acid and chlorophyll were observed in the early growth phase, followed by a depression during seed development. Malic acid and chlorophyll content reached a maximum per fruit by the onset of ripening. Degradation of malic acid then followed, while chlorophyll remained constant. Simultaneously sugars, especially glucose and fructose, started to accumulate, and anthocyanin synthesis increased dramatically. Citric acid concentration increased along with fruit growth until harvest, so did the citric acid and water content per fruit. The solute depression ...

Effects of Mulching on the Root and Shoot Growth of Young Black Currant Bushes (Ribes nigrum)

Abstract The effects of seven types of mulches on the root and shoot growth of young black currant bushes were investigated. Root and shoot growth were both significantly affected by mulching. By far the most significant environmental parameter in terms of its influence on growth was soil moisture availability. Mulches, which reduced water loss, increased shoot and root growth, and resulted in pronounced root proliferation in the soil surface, but without any deleterious effects on the growth of roots in deeper soil layers. Despite the fact that the various mulches differed in their effects on soil temperature, these differences had no apparent effects on root growth, indicating that the black currant plant can grow well over a wide range of soil temperatures.

A damaging outbreak of arabis mosaic nepovirus in blackcurrant, the occurrence of other nepoviruses in Ribes species, and the demonstration that alfalfa mosaic virus is the cause of interveinal white mosaic in blackcurrant

Summary.In a crop of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum), cv. Baldwin in Eire, chlorotic mottling and ringspot symptoms in leaves on plants and severe crop loss was associated with infection with arabis mosaic nepovirus (ArMV) and the presence in the soil of its nematode vector, Xiphinema diversicaudatum. This is only the second report of ArMV damaging a crop of blackcurrant. Tomato black ring (TBRV) and raspberry ringspot nepoviruses were detected in single plants of redcurrant (R. rubrum) in England and flowering currant (R. sanguineum) in Scotland respectively; each of these infected plants showed foliar chlorotic line‐pattern symptoms. This is the first record of TBRV in redcurrant. A single blackcurrant plant in New Zealand showing symptoms typical of those described for interveinal white mosaic disease, contained alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV). When AMV particles were purified and concentrated from herbaceous test plants and mechanically inoculated to young blackcurrant plants, several became infected with AMV and most infected plants developed systemic symptoms typical of the original disease. This provides the strongest evidence to date that AMV is the causal agent of interveinal white mosaic disease.

EFFECT OF ROOT DAMAGE ON HONEY FUNGUS

Summary The increased success of infection by two species of honey fungus, Armillaria mellea and A. gallica that results from the partial loss of roots by pruning is associated with changes in the nutrient status of the roots after they have been damaged rather simply an increase in sites for penetration. The consequences of infection by the two species of honey fungus differed significantly. Armillaria mellea resulted in a significantly higher mortality of twigs and roots on both undamaged and root pruned black currant plants than A. gallica, which injured but did not kill the roots.

Effects of Plant and Soil Factors on Growth of Young Apple and Blackcurrant Plants

Abstract Shoot growth as affected by plant size at planting, peat application in the planting hole, pruning, drip-irrigation and, for apple, specific apple replant disease (SARD) was investigated in apple (cv. Elstar) and blackcurrant (cvs Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis), using a multifactorial design. In the first year after planting, peat application and drip-irrigation enhanced shoot growth in both species, with a further interactional increase when both treatments were applied. The extension growth of apple, in contrast to blackcurrant, was positively related to plant size, and the strength of the relationship was distinctly improved when growth conditions were good. Pruning had only small effects on total shoot growth, with a trend towards an increase when growth conditions were poor.

Ultrastructure of the black currant gall mite, Cecidophyopsis ribis (Acari: Eriophyidae), the vector of the agent of reversion disease

SummaryElectron microscopy of ultrathin serial sections was used to determine the structure and anatomy of the eriophyid gall mite, Cecidophyopsis ribis, the vector of the agent of black currant reversion disease. The composite picture derived from these studies has determined the location of the food canal, and major internal organs of the mite. Detailed ultrastructural studies on the anterior of suitably orientated mites has also provided detailed information on the geometry and complex structure of three sets of stylets in the feeding apparatus. No evidence was found of structures resembling virus‐like particles or of other described plant pathogens in the feeding apparatus and food canal of mites obtained from black currant plants affected with reversion disease. However, little or no food was apparently present in the food canal of most mites examined. This is the first detailed report of the anatomy and the ultrastructure of the mouthparts of this important plant pest and vector.