Resistance to the fruit infection phase of mummy berry disease in highbush blueberry cultivars

Abstract

Sixty-eight highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivars and selections were evaluated over 3 years for their resistance to the fruit infection phase of mummy berry disease [Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi (Reade) Honey]. Average incidence of fruit infection under test conditions was 34.3% in 1995, 14.4% in 1996, and 27.9% in 1997, with significant differences occurring among clones in all 3 test years. Several cultivars exhibited consistent resistance to mummy berry fruit infection across all years of testing. 'Northsky', 'Reka', 'Northblue', 'Cape Fear', 'Bluegold', 'Puru', and 'Bluejay' were among the most resistant, and 'Atlantic', 'Berkeley', 'Herbert', and 'E-176' were among the most susceptible. The consistent resistant reaction of certain cultivars indicates that they may be suitable as parents for introducing resistance into a breeding program. No significant correlation was observed between blighting resistance and fruit infection resistance.