http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iyHnJ2wlyU9X6OTs663CAuNbO3owD9ADNCIG0
Blueberry virus strikes Michigan research center
By DAVID N. GOODMAN (AP) – Aug 31, 2009
DETROIT — The bloom could be off Michigan's $124 million per year blueberry
industry after two destructive viruses infected bushes in three locations.
Particularly upsetting to scientists is where one of the outbreaks occurred
— Michigan State University's agricultural research station in southwestern
Michigan. An outbreak of blueberry shock is forcing scientists to destroy
plants that represent two decades and millions of dollars of research.
It will take years for new plants to mature so research can resume, said
Annemiek Schilder, an associate professor of plant pathology and blueberry
researcher. Still, she said, "We can't risk having that spread its way
through Michigan's blueberry industry."
Blueberry shock is believed to have started in the Pacific Northwest and is
spread by bees carrying infected pollen. The virus causes sudden death to
flowers and leaves, although new ones can grow.
Plants remain infected but sometimes return to full productivity in a few
years.
Blueberry scorch — found on two southwestern Michigan farms — is common on
both North American coasts. It's spread by aphids and has symptoms similar
to blueberry shock. Some infected bushes die, while others appear normal.
Unlike fungus infections, the viruses have no known treatments.
So far, there's no sign of the diseases spread beyond those three spots, but
the Michigan Department of Agriculture says the risk to the state's 19,000
acres of blueberries remains.
Michigan is the nation's No. 1 producer of blueberries, with 110 million
pounds harvested last year. New Jersey was second at 42 million pounds.
Nationwide, production totaled 407 million pounds.
Totals for this year aren't in yet, but industry groups and growers say
Michigan had a bumper crop. Nationally, production is expected to be up as
well, according to the North American Blueberry Council.
Blueberry shock spreads only in the spring when bees pollinate bushes'
blooms. Between now and then, Michigan State scientists are undertaking a
crash study of the disease to learn as much as possible before they have to
destroy their plants to prevent the virus from spreading.
They will look at the effect of winter dormancy on the infection, monitor
the presence of the virus in buds and establish testing protocols, Schilder
said. Down the road, their work may help commercial growers struggling with
infections.
But the losses are great for the researchers working at the Trevor Nichols
Research Complex about four miles from Lake Michigan in Saugatuck Township
in the midst of southwestern Michigan's blueberry country. The four acres of
blueberries there have been used since the early 1990s for research on
diseases and pests affecting the fruit. Scientists at the station have
looked at topics ranging from pesticide residue to bee pollination, fruit
funguses and insect infestation.
Schilder's own work at Michigan State dates back 11 years. The university
could try to lease land from blueberry farmers to continue its research, but
once the station's blueberry bushes are destroyed, no work will be done
there for four or five years, she said.
It's unclear how the university's plants got the disease. But Schilder said
if any good comes from the outbreaks, it will be in raising growers'
awareness of the need to obey a quarantine on untested blueberry plants from
Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and other infected areas.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture is working to track down the sources
and any possible spread of the two diseases, said department spokeswoman
Jennifer Holton.
"It's like plant health CSI," Holton said. "We're going to figure out how it
got into the state and where it spread."
On the Net:
- Blueberry shock:
http://www.blueberries.msu.edu/shock.htm<http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.blueberries.msu.edu/shock.htm&usg=AFQjCNEiklxtXb47CVrOrxe1yfggcm7AGw>
- Blueberry scorch:
http://www.blueberries.msu.edu/scorch.htm<http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.blueberries.msu.edu/scorch.htm&usg=AFQjCNEF9_Vn8vMP3vklJofc7D5ypdVHVQ>
- North American Blueberry Council:
http://www.blueberry.org<http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.blueberry.org&usg=AFQjCNEYKi9qz2lqDJ-AhQQ74_ntP6AOmQ>
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Related articles
- Blueberry virus strikes Michigan research
center<http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iyHnJ2wlyU9X6OTs663CAuNbO3owD9ADNA484>
The Associated Press - Aug 31, 2009
- Blueberry Viruses Found in
Michigan<http://www.9and10news.com/category/story/?id=167657>
9&10 News - 6 days ago
- Blueberry viruses
found<http://www.wwmt.com/news/newschannel-1366437-0in-style.html>
WWMT - Aug 31, 2009
--
Juanse Barros J.
APIZUR S.A.
Carrera 695
Gorbea - CHILE
+56-45-271693
08-3613310
http://apiaraucania.blogspot.com/
[log in to unmask]
***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
