Soilborne diseases of red currant : how can you recognize them? : what are the control strategies?

Samenvatting

Red currant (Ribes rubrum) and other small fruit species are important fruit crops in the Netherlands. Red currant, along with other small fruits are affected by a wide range of soilborne pathogens (SBPs) and nematode-transmitted viruses (NTVs) causing severe yield losses if not diagnosed and managed properly. Fusarium and Verticillium wilts are serious SBPs affecting red currant. Fusarium and Verticillium spp. are associated with the death of red currant bushes. Currant cane dieback or stem blight is another serious soilborne disease affecting red currant, which is associated with cane dieback symptoms. Canker or stem blight of red currant is caused by the fungus Botryosphaeria ribis (syn. Neofusicoccum ribis). The NTVs; Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV), Raspberry ringspot virus (RpRSV), Tomato black ring virus (TBRV), Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV), and Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) infect red currant. ArMV, SLRSV, RpRSV, TBRV and ToRSV are transmitted by nematode species from the family Longidoridae; Paralongidorus, Longidorus, and Xiphinema. TRV is transmitted by numerous species of the nematode genera Trichodorus and Paratrichodorus. The NTVs; ArMV, RpRSV, SLRSV, TBRV, ToRSV and TRV are controlled through growing virus-free plant materials and controlling their nematode vectors. Accurate diagnosis of plant diseases is crucial for developing efficient and cost-effective disease management strategies. There are several control methods of SPBs. The key factor in controlling SBPs is resistant rootstocks. Planting pathogen-free bushes is important for minimizing the primary source of inoculum of SBPs. Developing suppressive soil may be a good management strategy against SBPs. Organic soil amendments and biofungicides may be used for suppressing SBPs. In addition, anaerobic soil disinfestation using biobased products is a control method of SBPs, which has been shown under experimental conditions to be effective against SBPs. Chemical control only is not effective in managing SBPs. All mentioned management strategies of SBPs have limited efficiencies, as single control methods, in managing SBPs. Therefore, an integrated pest management program is required to effectively control SBPs.