Brambles - Production Management and Marketing

Bulletin 782-99

Chapter 5 Integrated Management of Bramble Diseases

Use of Disease-Resistant Varieties

In a disease-management program where emphasis is placed on reducing overall fungicide use, it is essential to identify any available disease resistance and use it. Unfortunately, good resistance to most of the major diseases is not available in most commercially grown raspberry and blackberry varieties in the Midwest. Thus, the disease-management program must rely mainly on the use of cultural practices and efficient fungicide use. Whereas resistance is generally not available for most diseases, varieties do vary greatly in their level of susceptibility to certain diseases. If good resistance is not available, those varieties that are highly susceptible to important diseases should be avoided. Refer to the section on "Bramble Cultivars" in this publication (pages 20 to 29) for a brief description of several cultivars recommended for use in Ohio. Comments on disease resistance are included where available.

Notes on Disease Resistance

Phytophthora Root Rot
Phytophthora root rot is most serious on red raspberry and some of its hybrids. The black raspberry varieties Cumberland and Munger are reported to be susceptible, and the varieties Bristol, Dundee, and Jewel appear to be moderately to highly resistant. Among red raspberry varieties, none are immune to the disease, but varieties do differ greatly in their level of susceptibility. Among varieties grown in the Midwest and Northeast, Titan, Ruby, and Hilton are extremely susceptible, and Festival, Heritage, Reveille, and Taylor are moderately to highly susceptible. Latham, Boyne, Newburgh, Cherokee, Killarney, Nordic, and Fall Red are considered fairly resistant. The disease has not been documented on blackberry.

Verticillium Wilt

• Red raspberries are more tolerant than black raspberries. Cuthbert and Syracuse appear to be resistant under field conditions.
• Black raspberries are highly susceptible.
• Blackberries are susceptible, but the disease is seldom a serious problem.

Virus Diseases

Mosaic Virus

• Blackberries are not susceptible.
• Black and purple raspberries are more severely affected than red raspberries. Of the purple or black raspberries, New Logan, Bristol, and Black Hawk are tolerant, and Cumberland is susceptible.
• Of the red raspberries, Algonguin, Chilliwack, Haida, Qualicum, Titan, Milton, September, Canby, and Indian Summer are resistant, because the aphid vectors of the virus avoid them.

Leaf Curl Virus

• Blackberries are symptomless.
• All raspberries are susceptible.

Tomato Ringspot Virus

• Red raspberries and blackberries are susceptible.

Raspberry Streak

• Black and purple raspberries are susceptible.

Orange Rust

• Red raspberries are immune.
• Other brambles are susceptible.
• Of blackberries, Eldorado, Raven, Snyder, and Ebony King are reported to be resistant. The Arkansas erect types (Arkansas Indian series) are reported to be resistant to orange rust. Unfortunately, many of the blackberry varieties that are reported to be resistant are not winter hardy enough for Ohio.