2012 - Washington Red Raspberry Commission

2013 WASHINGTON RED RASPBERRY COMMISSION
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
New Project Proposal
Proposed Duration: 2 years
Project Title: Evaluation of resistance to Verticillium dahliae and Phytophthora rubi in red
raspberry
PI: Patrick Moore, Horticulture, Washington State University, Puyallup Research and Extension
Center (WSU-P), 2606 W Pioneer Ave., Puyallup, WA 98371; moorepp@wsu.edu, 253-445-
4525.
Co-PIs: Jerry Weiland, Plant Pathology, USDA-ARS, 3420 NW Orchard Avenue, Corvallis, OR
97330; jerry.weiland@ars.usda.gov, 541-738-4062.
Wendy Hoashi-Erhardt, Horticulture, WSU-P, 2606 W Pioneer Ave., Puyallup, WA 98371;
wkhe@wsu.edu, 253-445-4641.
Year Initiated 2013 Current Year 2013 Terminating Year 2014
Total Project Request: Year 1 $6,772 Year 2 $1,826
Other funding sources
Agency Name: USDA-ARS Crop Germplasm Committee
Amt. Requested: $16,434 Awarded: $10,000
Description:
This project will evaluate the response of a range of red raspberry cultivars and selections to
Verticillium (Verticillium dahliae) and the response of a subset of these cultivars to
Phytophthora root rot (Phytophthora rubi) both singly and in combination with Verticillium.
This project will provide information on the relative susceptibility of red raspberry cultivars
grown in Washington.
Justification and Background: Verticillium wilt has generally been considered of low
importance relative to Phytophthora root rot in red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), although it can
be a serious disease of black raspberry (Rubus leucodermis L.) (Dossett, 2008; Ellis, 1991).
However, ‘Meeker’, the dominant cultivar in the Pacific Northwest, has recently been found to
be susceptible to infection by the causal organism Verticillium dahliae, showing symptoms of
cane wilt and plant mortality (Weiland, unpublished data). Strain variation present within V.
dahliae may explain the development or introduction of a virulent strain into raspberry fields.
Additionally, the recent reduction of planting longevity in major raspberry growing regions
indicates an overall decline in soil health and ability to suppress soil-borne pathogens (Gigot,
2011). As soils lose their suppressive qualities, individual pathogens of red raspberry, such as
Phytophthora rubi and V. dahliae, become increasingly important, and disease complexes arising
from multiple soil pathogens may kill plants outright or produce sub-lethal effects of low yields,
low vigor, or poor fruit quality. The susceptibility of raspberry cultivars and breeding material to
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