Fungal pathogens associated with blueberry propagation beds in North Carolina

Abstract

Death of blueberry cuttings in commercial rooting beds was observed due to abiotic and biotic causes. Abiotic causes included poor watering practices, water quality, rooting medium, and inadequate drainage due to poor rooting bed design. Biotic causes were attributable to fungi and included (1) non-pathogenic Basidiomycetes colonizing unsterilized rooting media, (2) airborne or rain-splashed pathogens infecting individual cuttings (Botryosphaeria, Pestalotia and other sp.), and (3) Cylindrocladium sp. that spread radially from the initial infection, producing circular dead spots in rooting beds. Re-use of Cylindrocladium-infested media resulted in complete loss of cuttings. Methyl bromide fumigation was successfully used to sanitize infested media. © 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.