Blueberry pathologies in nursery plants

• Published in: Phytopathology Vol. 100; no. 6; p. S99
• Main Authors: Perez, BA, Wright, E R, de Sesar, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2010
• Subjects: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides; Pestalotiopsis guepini; Vaccinium corymbosum
• ISSN: 0031-949X

Blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum) are obtained by vegetative propagation under different conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify the fungi present in plants raised in nurseries under a black shading net in Buenos Aires. Leaf samples cvs. Sharp Blue and Misty with dark and red spots were collected in summer months (January to March) in 2008 and 2010 and processed in laboratory using routine techniques. A stereo microscope was used to observe rust pustules, to prepare slides for microscopic observations and transfer fungal spores that developed on leaves incubated in moist chambers to 2% WA. Fungal purification was made by subculturing the point of hyphae in WA and then cultured in GYE and MYE agar media. The fungi Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Pestalotiopsis guepini were identified. Rust pustules and urediospores of Pucciniastrum vaccinii were recorded in the underside of the leaves in correspondence with dark spot on the upper side of affected leaves of cv. Sharp Blue. This cultivar had a susceptible reaction to rust and was also the most susceptible under field conditions in San Pedro area (Buenos Aires).