Dry Cell Syndrome
Diseases
Symptoms
Dry cell symptoms have been widely found in ‘Marion’ and ‘Kotata’ cultivars, but have also been reported in ‘Boysenberry’ plantings. Individual drupelets become shriveled, dry and hard. In addition, some fruits may have small dry, scabby looking lesions on green, red and black drupelets. Affected drupelets may be widely scattered on the berry or may be clustered in patches. Symptoms are seen any time from early berry development to ripening. Sporulation of various fungi may or may not be seen. Fruit showing symptoms of dry cell syndrome are not accepted in IQF markets.
Life History
The cause of this disease is unknown. There are several fungi that have been associated with dry drupelets on blackberry fruit. Many of these are common pathogens that produce other, more recognizable symptoms. The list includes those fungi that cause anthracnose, ascospora dieback, spur blight, cane and leaf rust, and botrytis fruit rot. Other fungi of unknown pathogenicity have also been found. Dry drupelets have not been found to be associated with downy mildew, sunburn, or pests such as the dry-berry mite. Symptoms most often are found in years when late spring rains are numerous and frequent.
Monitoring
At pre-harvest, begin scouting 3-5 sites per field (depending on field size) for dry, hard and shriveled berries. Evaluate 10-20 hills, spaced 3-5 hills apart and record severity on a scale of 0-3.
Thresholds and Management
No threshold or tolerance level available.
There is no one specific organism that produces this symptom, so the suggested focus is on controlling the various diseases associated with this problem. Special attention should be given to disease issues that have historically been troublesome in your field, particularly when wet weather continues into late spring and summer.
Resources
Oregon State University Extension, Plant Disease Control: Blackberry – Dry Cell Syndrome
http://plant-disease.ippc.orst.edu/ShowDisease.aspx?RecordID=1213
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