High Risk Blueberry Viruses by Region in North America; Implications for Certification, Nurseries, and Fruit Production

Abstract

There is limited information on the distribution of blueberry viruses in the U.S. or around the world other than where the viruses were first discovered and characterized. A survey for blueberry viruses was carried out in the U.S. in 2015–2017. Most blueberry viruses have been characterized to the point that sensitive diagnostic assays have been developed. These assays are based on ELISA or variations of PCR, which were employed here to determine the presence of blueberry viruses in major blueberry production and nursery areas of the U.S. The viruses included in this study were: blueberry fruit drop (BFDaV), blueberry latent (BlLV), blueberry leaf mottle (BLMoV), blueberry mosaic (BlMaV), blueberry red ringspot (BRRV), blueberry scorch (BlScV), blueberry shock (BlShV), blueberry shoestring (BlSSV), blueberry virus A (BVA), peach rosette mosaic (PRMV), tobacco ringspot (TRSV), and tomato ringspot (ToRSV). In the Pacific Northwest BlShV was the most widespread virus, with BlScV and ToRSV detected in a limited number of fields in Oregon and Washington, but BlScV was widespread in British Columbia. In the upper midwest, the nematode-borne (ToRSV, TRSV), aphid-transmitted (BlSSV and BVA) and pollen-borne (BLMoV) viruses were most widespread. In the northeast, TRSV, ToRSV, and BlScV, were detected most frequently. In the southeast, BRRV and BNRBV were the most widespread viruses. BlLV, a cryptic virus with no known symptoms or effect on plant growth or yield was present in all regions. There are other viruses present at low levels in each of the areas, but with the lower incidence they pose minimal threat to nursery systems or fruit production. These results indicate that there are hotspots for individual virus groups that normally coincide with the presence of the vectors. The information presented highlights the high risk viruses for nursery and fruit production each pose a different challenge for control.

Blueberry latent virus in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…High incidence of BlLV has also been reported in the USA, Japan, and Serbia (Martin et al 2011;Isogai et al 2011;Jevremović and Paunović, 2021). However, in the done in 2018 in USA that covered all blueberry regions, BlLV was detected only in 3.6% of the tested samples (Martin and Tzanetakis, 2018). In our survey the virus was found in all surveyed regions and tested cultivars.…”

Known and New Emerging Viruses Infecting Blueberry

“…Blueberry producers should be aware of the viruses present in their respective area and develop a proper control strategy to prevent an outbreak. In North America, a total of nine viruses (BlMoV, BlScV, BlShV, BNRBV, BRRV, BSSV, BVA, ToRSV, and TRSV) have been reported as high risk due to their frequent occurrence and widespread in different production regions [127]. In contrary, only two viruses have been reported in other countries such as Japan and New Zealand, and recently one from China, implying that blueberry viruses may not be a major concern in these regions.…”

Vaccinium Species (Ericaceae): Phytochemistry and Biological Properties of Medicinal Plants

“…Those breeds are the V. myrtillus , or wild berries, and V. corymbosum , or cultivated berries [ 40 ]. Over the last five years, the production of blueberry has mainly been focused in North America [ 41 ], accounting for over 80% of world production [ 42 ], and with a production that reached over 1 million (M) tons in 2021 [ 40 , 43 ]. The U.S. registered a 106% increase in blueberry production from 2007 to 2016 [ 42 ].…”

“…Over the last five years, the production of blueberry has mainly been focused in North America [ 41 ], accounting for over 80% of world production [ 42 ], and with a production that reached over 1 million (M) tons in 2021 [ 40 , 43 ]. The U.S. registered a 106% increase in blueberry production from 2007 to 2016 [ 42 ]. According to FAOSTAT, in 2020, a total cultivated blueberry area of 126.144 ha was recorded globally; a significant difference compared to 1980, when the cultivated area was 24.460 ha.…”