ISHS Acta Horticulturae 810: IX International Vaccinium Symposium
CORRELATION OF SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MUMMY BERRY IN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY |
| Authors: | T.D. Miles, A.C. Schilder |
| Keywords: | Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi, Vaccinium corymbosum, integrated pest management, apothecia, shoot strikes |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.810.49 |
| Abstract:
As part of a larger project aimed at demonstrating the benefits of scouting for management of insects and diseases in highbush blueberry in Michigan, mummy berry (Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi) signs and symptoms were quantified. Characteristic symptoms include blighting of young shoots and flower clusters and mummified berries. In this study, four field sites in southwest Michigan (cultivars Rubel, Jersey, and Blueray) were evaluated each week from April to August 2007. At the beginning of the season, one field had low, two fields had intermediate and one field had high numbers of overwintering mummies. The numbers of overwintered mummies, germinated mummies, apothecia, shoot strikes, and newly infected berries were visually determined at ten locations per field. Regression analysis was conducted to determine which variable would best predict the number of primary and secondary infections. The amount of overwintered inoculum at the beginning of the season was positively correlated with incidence of shoot and fruit infection. The number of apothecia was generally a better predictor of disease incidence than the number of overwintered mummies or the number of germinated mummies. Inoculum and disease levels varied between bushes and rows within a field; therefore it is important to scout several bushes in multiple rows. | |
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