Blackberry Cultivars Differ in Susceptibility to Rosette Disease

Abstract

Rosette, incited by Cercosporella rubi (G. Wint.) Plakidas, is the most severe disease of blackberries in the southern United States. Sixteen blackberry cultivars and breeding selections were evaluated in a field test over a 3-year period for incidence and severity of rosette. Test plots were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. A plot consisted of a 3-m hedgerow of blackberry canes. Each test plot row was bordered on each side by a row of the rosette-susceptible cultivar Shawnee. Disease ratings were conducted on five random floricanes in each plot. Disease severity was rated with a 1 to 8 scale (1 = 0% floricane nodes with rosettes, 2 = 0% to 10%, 3 = 10% to 25%, 4 = 25% to 50%, 5 =50% to 75%, 6 = 75% to 90%, 7 = 90% to 100%, 8 = 100%). `Shawnee' and `Rosborough' had high incidence and severity. Cultivars and selections with moderate-high incidence and low-moderate severity were `Brazos', `Cheyenne', `Choctaw', A-1260, A-1442, A-1560, and A-1585. Cultivars and selections with zero-low incidence and severity were `Arapaho', `Humble', `Navaho', A-1374, A-1594, A-1616, and A-1617.