Berry Crop Pathology

Title: Berry Crop Pathology

Principal Investigator: Dr. Rishi Burlakoti, Research Scientist, AAFC’s Agassiz Research and Development Centre

Duration: April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2023

Project Summary:

Fruit rot of blueberry and raspberry (Botrytis fruit rot) is a major disease of berry crops in the wet, warm coastal climate of the Fraser Valley of British Columbia (BC). Bacterial blight (Pseudomonas syringae) is an endemic disease in blueberry. Field management of these key diseases presents numerous technical challenges, and an integrated approach that includes breeding for host resistance and other sustainable management options is an urgent priority for increasing the sustainability of berry production in the region.

There are substantial gaps in knowledge of pathogen biology, variability in pathogenicity and virulence among the strains, which must be addressed to explore host resistance as well as other novel management options. The status of copper resistance in Pseudomonas populations are also unknown. This project we will generate knowledge on the pathogen biology and use it in disease management; develop weather-based forecasting systems; and assist the BC Berry Breeding Program in accomplishing pre-breeding activities through Berry Germplasm Evaluation for the Fraser Valley.

Objectives:

1. Developing a decision support system for mitigating fruit rot diseases of berries; and
2. Integrating host resistance and alternatives to copper-based products for sustainable management of bacterial blight.