BLACK ROOT ROT OF RIBES SPP. IN SWITZERLAND

E. Bosshard, W. Heller
In recent years many Swiss Ribes plantations did not grow well or showed symptoms of decline. In most cases the microscopic examination of the roots showed chlamydospores of Thielaviopsis basicola on fine roots and root bark (Fig. 1). With the carrot slice method T. basicola could be detected in the corresponding soil samples. The fungus was isolated and used to inoculate young gooseberry plants (cultivar ‘Achilles’). After 3 weeks the inoculated plants showed reduced growth and T.basicola chlamydospores were detected on the roots. T. basicola was also isolated from roots of apparently healthy nursery plants. It seems that already young planting material can be infected by black rot without showing symptoms. As chemical control of this disease is not possible in Switzerland it can only be recommended to use young plants free of black rot for new plantations.
Bosshard, E. and Heller, W. (2002). BLACK ROOT ROT OF RIBES SPP. IN SWITZERLAND. Acta Hortic. 585, 335-336
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.585.55
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.585.55
Thielaviopsis basicola, black root rot, gooseberry, red currant
English

Acta Horticulturae