INFLUENCES OF LATENT VIRUSES ON VIGOR, YIELD AND QUALITY OF BRITISH SOVEREIGN STRAWBERRIES

Abstract

Comparison of the effect of two strains of mottle virus, two strains of veinbanding virus, and latent-A virus, alone and in combination, on vigor, yield and quality of British Sovereign strawberry plants grown under two planting systems showed: 1. Vigor was reduced by infection by a single virus and still further reduced by two viruses; 2. Yield was reduced by virus infection, especially during the first fruiting year when plants were grown under the hill system; 3. Fruit size was reduced only by virus combinations; 4. Fruit quality was affected only by veinbanding, which increased the total acid content and tended to reduce sugar content.