Plant Disease (2020) 104, 161-167

Frances B. Browne, Phillip M. Brannen, Harald Scherm, Elizabeth A. Richardson and Jeremy R. Taylor (2020)
Yield response to orange cane blotch of blackberry grown in the Georgia coastal plain
Plant Disease 104 (1), 161-167
Abstract: Orange cane blotch (OCB), an algal disease on commercial blackberry plants in the southeastern United States, has been an increasing concern among producers. The causal agent, Cephaleuros virescens, produces brightly colored green to orange lesions on blackberry stems, but proof of actual damage and impact on crop yield has not been documented. Naturally infected stem sections were viewed using transmission and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate cane damage. Surface abrasions, intercellular growth, and occasional intracellular growth were observed on the surface and epidermal layers. Field studies at four commercial sites over 2 years were conducted to assess the impact of OCB on yield in 'Ouachita' blackberry plants not treated with algicidal chemicals. Neither cane diameter nor berry size was impacted by severity of OCB; however, berry number decreased with increasing OCB intensity in a nonlinear manner, thereby resulting in reduced yields.
(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): Phillip M. Brannen

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cephaleuros virescens	Raspberry/blackberry (Rubus)	U.S.A. (SE)