| Blueberry Shock Virus (BBShV) |
 |
|
 |
| Ilarvirus |
|
Plant hosts
- Vaccinium corymbosum (blueberry)
Transmission
Blueberry shock virus is pollen borne and can be transmitted by the wind or pollinators, especially honey bees, that transfer infected pollen to flowers of healthy plants. It can also be transmitted by grafting infected tissue to a healthy plant. The virus is not transmitted by contact between plants.
Symptoms
In spring when the flowers are just about to open, the flowers and young leaf shoots will suddenly die. The entire bush may be blighted, but usually only part of the branches show symptoms. The symptoms represent the plant's "shock reaction" to the viral infection. In late summer, the affected plants will look normal but produce very little fruit. The leaves that didn't blight in the spring may have thin red ringspots on both sides of the leaf. The plants will exhibit the shock reaction for 1 to 3 years. Afterwards, they may be symptom free but still carry the virus. Therefore once in a field, the virus can not be eliminated by removing and destroying plants with symptoms.
Geographic distribution
The viruse has been detected in British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington.
Synonyms
- blueberry necrotic shock virus
Cultural control
- use certified virus-free planting stock
- removal and destruction of infected bushes before bloom
- do not establish new fields next to infected fields
Virus testing
Blueberry fruit growers and blueberry nursery stock growers are encouraged to submit samples from plants suspected of harboring BBShV. Samples should be submitted to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Commodity Inspection Division, Plant Health Program. Lab fees are charged to the grower. The sample collection and testing will need to be completed at the appropriate time of year, and in the right manner. To obtain further details on sample collection or the virus certification program, please contact Dr. Mohamed ("Sid") Sedegui.
Return to plant pathogen list.
|
|
|
|
