Journal of General Plant Pathology (2012) 78, 151-159

Syuuichi Nekoduka, Satoko Kanematsu, Kazuaki Tanaka, Yukio Harada and Teruo Sano (2012)
Valdensia leaf blight of highbush blueberry caused by Valdensinia heterodoxa, a new fungal disease in Japan
Journal of General Plant Pathology 78 (3), 151-159
Valdensia leaf blight of highbush blueberry caused by Valdensinia heterodoxa, a new fungal disease in Japan
Abstract: In July 2003, a new disease occurred on leaves of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbossum L.) in Iwate, Japan. Leaves initially had brownish spots, which subsequently developed into large lesions with concentric rings, resulting in premature defoliation. Teardrop-shaped conidia infecting leaves were visible by the naked eye as small protuberances in the center of lesions. Star-shaped conidia were sporadically produced on large lesions. The causal fungus was identified as Valdensinia heterodoxa, based on cultural, morphological and genetic studies. Inoculation tests showed that the fungus reproduced lesions on detached young leaves of highbush blueberry. A field survey in 2009 indicated that symptoms initially appeared on the lower leaves of basal shoots in late May, and the disease rapidly progressed on leaves of basal shoots, eventually spreading to lateral shoots from late June to late July. Removal of all basal shoots in late June significantly reduced disease incidence on lateral shoots in late July.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Teruo Sano

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Valdensia heterodoxa	Blueberry/cranberry (Vaccinium)	Japan