The disease is most common on black raspberries but also occurs on red and purple varieties. Botrytis causes flowers to shrivel and turn brown. )-Cane Blight. These three diseases can be controlled routinely with good sanitation and one early season lime sulfur treatment before new growth begins. Biology. Cane blight occasionally impacts homegrown and commercial raspberries and blackberries in Kentucky. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Any practice that improves drying of foliage, such as keeping fruiting rows narrow and weeded, will help in the control of cane blight. Black raspberries are more susceptible than red or purple raspberries. Cultivar resistance. Botrytis blight is a fungal disease that infects blackberry bushes when the outdoor temperature is approximately 60 degrees F, and the weather is cold and rainy. Remove old canes, dead wood, weak growth, and suckers. Canes are usually brittle at the point of infection, and may break if bent. Spur blight is a fungal disease that begins in the leaves or at the node where the leaf is attached to the cane. If plant is dead,... Aphids. Cane blight is caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria coniothyrium, which also causes a canker on roses and a fruit rot of apple and pear. Prune blueberries when the plants are dormant. Pruning when plants are dormant allows ample time for wounds to close at a time of year when spores of the cane blight fungus are not being produced. Botrytis Blight. View our privacy policy. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Canes eventually split, and the plant loses its leaves. It may attack black raspberry at points where canes have been snapped off or pruned to force lateral growth. In their second summer, most of a blackberry cane’s energy is spent on fruiting – establishing clusters of berries, which are primarily along lateral branches off the main canes. Following lime sulfur, an application of fixed copper is effective at the start of the growing season to keep cane rust away. Fruit production may slow or stop all together, rendering blackberries inedible from falling fungal spores. No specific control measures have been developed because of the sporadic nature of the disease. Some of the most common diseases are below. Photo: Florida Division of Plant Industry , Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org. Control / Preventions: Avoid wounding the canes during pruning and harvesting. Wenn Ihre Himbeerbuschknospen sterben, die Seitentriebe welken und die Stöcke versagen, ist wahrscheinlich die Rohrfäule der Schuldige. It is most effective when followed with a treatment of fixed copper. Cane blight is a common fungal disease of raspberries (Rubus sp. The disease occasionally occurs on blackberries and dewberries. 2) Gray mold (Botrytis) infected blackberry. What is Cane Blight? Most blackberries only produce for three to four weeks in the late summer, but Kiowa keeps making berries for six weeks. Black specks, which are reproductive bodies of the cane blight fungus, develop in the brown cankered bark. Avoid wounding the primocanes whenever possi-ble. Blackberry Cane Blight . Water management. It seems to be most severe when drought stress occurs after widespread infections take place. Black raspberries are more susceptible to cane blight than other brambles. The fungus overwinters on dead tissue of old floricanes. Select disease-resistant varieties. Pinch back new “primocanes” as they emerge to promote branching. Cane blight was resulting in poor growth and dieback of this blackberry. They do well in northern climates because they are cold hardy. Cane blight is one of the main blackberry diseases in the Southeast. Control the instance of fungal pathogens by mulching, removing weeds and making sure the plants have proper air circulation. Kulturell . Cane blight can be a major disease of blackberry in the Southeast, resulting in severe losses ‐ sometimes causing the complete destruction of fruiting canes in any given year. In their second summer, most of a blackberry cane’s energy is spent on fruiting – establishing clusters of berries, which are primarily along lateral branches off the main canes. It is usually most severe during wet growing seasons. The young canes are green in color, whereas the older floricanes are tougher and have a woody covering making them easy to tell apart. cv. These include eliminating weed-whacking near the canes, controlling … Fruit associated with diseased canes often ripen abnormally and/or “dry-up” before maturation; abnormal berries may have an “off” flavor. Purple or brown 1/2 inch spots appear around the nodes. Each blackberry cane grows for one year and produces fruit the next year. Cane blight appears only on fruiting canes; infection occurs on primocanes near the end of the growing season. The most effective method of controlling the disease is the use of resistant blackberry varieties; if plants are already infected but disease is not yet severe then remove and destroy any abnormal blossom clusters; old canes should be removed and destroyed immediately following harvest; fungicide application may limit damage; disease can also be controlled by only harvesting berries in alternating … Now that I have three going they’re prolific. A single blackberry cane can produce a thicket six yards square in less than two years and has choked out native vegetation from Northern California to British Columbia. Raspberries and blackberries are important small-fruit crops in New York agriculture. Eliminate weeds and thin out weak canes to speed up the drying of plants. Symptoms, source of inoculum and management of blackberry, raspberry and other bramble diseases. Circular, light gray spots form on canes; as the disease progresses the spots become sunken with a dark purple margin. Leaves will become yellow and brown, die, and fall off. Symptoms of cane blight can include dark red or purple lesions on the plant. Blackberry plants that produce canes that are stout and upright are called the erect type, and those that produce non-erect canes and tend to grow on the ground, if not trellised, are called the trailing type. ... spur blight; cane and leaf rust; botrytis fruit rot; The occurrence of this disorder is more common in years with heavy late spring rains. • Primocane – The first year shoot or cane on a bramble (raspberry or blackberry). In recent years, occasional highly devastating outbreaks of fire blight, caused by specific strains of a bacterial pathogen, Erwinia amylovora, have occurred in nearby states. Control: Plant healthy plants that have not been grown around wild blackberries. Control of cane blight is possible through both cultural and chemical means. Symptoms appear late in the season on new shoots where plants have been pruned. Cane blight is a fungal disease called leptosphaeria coniothyrium, which targets the stems of wild and cultivated rubus species, such as raspberries and blackberries. Options for control of Anthracnose during harvest include Abound and Switch are options with 0 PHI. The cankers enlarge and extend down the cane or encircle it, causing lateral shoots above the diseased area to wilt and eventually die. Request full-text PDF. It is easily controlled with fungicides sprays and preventive plant care. On first-year canes (primocanes) dark brown-to-purplish cankers form on new canes near the end of the season where pruning, insect, and other wounds are present. (Cane blight photos courtesy of Wayne Wilcox, NYSAES Cornell University) Cultural control - Exclude, Inhibit or Limit, and Eradicate! Choose a planting site with good air movement, and time pruning so that cuts have 3 days to dry before a rain. The fungus requires a wound or damaged tissue to infect a plant. Cane blight is caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria coniothyrium, which also causes a canker on roses and a fruit rot of apple and pear. 2. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Cane blight and spur blight often occur simultaneously, making diagnosis difficult. The symptoms are similar to anthracnose leafspots. • Floricane – A flowering and fruiting cane of aA flowering and fruiting cane of a bramble the season after it was produced. Cane Blight Control. This ooze gives the bark a … With proper pruning and use of fungicides, blackberries can be produced without caneblight, even in wet years (Figure 7). In the spring, buds fail to break dormancy, lateral shoots wilt, or fruiting canes die when the fruit begins to ripen. This pathogen is a wound invader. Symptoms appear late in the season on new shoots where plants have been pruned. See: Raspberry (Rubus spp. One of the few diseases that can completely destroy a plant, cane blight mainly enters through pruning wounds or injured canes. Causes canes to wilt. Must know • Canes last for two seasons onlyCanes last for two seasons only . Cultural Controls (1). Cane blight may weaken fruiting canes of red raspberry. Infection occurs in late spring or early summer through pruning and insect wounds. Spray lime sulfur on blackberry plants during the winter months to stop cane rust from overwintering and affecting new growth in the spring. Due to a wide array of various products containing the same active ingredient, for insecticide recommendations, when appropriate, the active ingredient is listed instead of the name of the formulated product. Cane blight may weaken fruiting canes of red raspberry. Cane blight usually affects only canes that have been wounded in their vegetative year. All symptoms of cane blight occur in close association with wounds. First-year blackberry canes are called primocanes. The susceptibility of purple raspberries is unknown. Prune two-year-old “floricanes” that are diseased, damaged or crowded, leaving only four to six canes to bear fruit that year. Pattern of injury depends on variety and cold exposure. Carefully examine your blackberry plants and remove any unhealthy or diseased-looking canes and leaves to stop the spread of cane rust. Apply fungicides after pruning each day to provide a protective barrier on the wound site untilhealing can occur. If you continue to use the same fungicide application, over time the fungal pathogen develops a resistance and does not respond to the treatment. If your blackberry plants have been affected by cane rust in the past, spray fungicides to reduce vulnerability. It reproduces at cane apices (tips) and by seeds, which are carried by birds and animals. All symptoms of cane blight occur in close association with wounds. Do not spray lime sulfur during the growing season, because this causes damage to new leaves and canes. One of these is the orange felt (also known as orange cane blotch) disease of blackberry, caused by the parasitic alga Cephaleuros virescens. Also read the text for information on cultural practices to minimize the application of pesticides. However, the following practices will limit establishment and spread of the disease: 1. A wound may begin after tip pruning or if the primocanes rub against a trellis wire or each other. Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. Certain brands are specially formulated and registered for use on blackberries. 'Boysenberry', 'Loganberry', and 'Youngberry' canes are seldom infected with cane blight unless canes first are frozen, pruned, or mechanically damaged. Disease (Pathogen) Anthracnose (Elsinoe veneta) Symptoms: Symptoms appear on canes and leaves. It is important to alternate the use of fungicides when spraying blackberries for cane rust. Cane rust survives through the winter months in affected plants, causing damage to the following season’s crop. The fungus enters primocanes through wounds caused by poor pruning In particular, cane blight and Botryosphaeria-related diseases have been more frequently observed to cause problems in blackberry plantings where severe problems with OCB have been noted. In addition to treating cane rust, myclobutanil fights powdery mildew. Verticillium wilt. The disease usually targets the canes (or stems) of brambles where wounds are present, forming reddish-brown streaks that eventually take over the entire cane and cause cane death. Spores germinate in wounds and produce new infections. However, lime sulfur’s foul, rotten egg odor may be a deterrent in some cases. Blueberry Botrytis Blight Treatment. A major consideration in the control of this disease is the prevention of damage to or wounding of the canes. Factors such as location and weather will play a part in which issues your plants encounters. It is important to refer to the label for the best timing and application rates when applying pesticides. Plants appear stunted and slow growing; leaves may be reduced in size, little or no fruit. Manage a botrytis infection by removing all infected branches and leaves; burn them to … Cane Blight 'Boysenberry', 'Loganberry', and 'Youngberry' canes are seldom infected with cane blight unless canes first are frozen, pruned, or mechanically damaged. Profitable yields will not be achieved in the long run without control of these diseases. Orange felt is especially prevalent on blackberries grown in very hot, wet and humid environments, such as those encountered in much of the Coastal Plain areas of the Southeast. It may attack black raspberry at points where canes have been snapped off or pruned to force lateral growth. This fungal infection causes cankers to form on the cane, sometimes encircling it. "Several control methods work well as long as anyone going to battle against blackberry vines is armed with the benefits and drawbacks of the most common methods," Hulting said. allows easy infection by the cane blight fungus as well as other disease-causing organisms such as Botryosphaeria species, and ultimately death of canes will result from these open cuts (right photo). Photo Credit: Department of Horticulture Science, N.C. State University . Canes with verticillium wilt Infected areas were covered with numerous, black pycnidia immersed in the epidermal tissue. There are no fungicides available to home gardeners for the control of raspberry cane blight. However, orange rust affects only the leaves of the plant, and not the shoots. Cane blight on raspberry (Rubus) Cane blight of raspberries is a late season disease caused by the fungus, Leptosphaeria conithyrium. If fungicides are necessary, they should be applied during bloom with additional applications made during harvest if needed. Blackberry Cane blight. Keep the area clean. -- Cane and Leaf Rust, Ohio State University Extension: Brambles -- Production Management and Marketing. Septoria Leafspot is caused by a fungus – Mycosphaerella rubi. Affected plants display small yellow pustules on shoots and the undersides of leaves. Consider a raised bed to reduce the likelihood of root diseases. Black raspberries are more susceptible than red or purple raspberries. The same fungus that causes gray mold on strawberries causes gray mold on bramble crops. University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources: Cane and Leaf Rust, Small Fruits.org: Bramble Disease Control, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center: Fruit Crops -- Blackberries, Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook: Blackberry (Rubus sp.) Fruiting canes show a sudden wilting of branches when the fruit begins to ripen. Infected areas are bro… Joe Masabni. Fire blight affects both red and black raspberries and blackberries. First-year blackberry canes are called primocanes. Early orange felt symptoms on blackberry cane are yellowish spots on the canes. "Bluestem" appearance to infested canes. Biology. Plants are vigorous and resistant to cane blights. This strategy allows it to expand quickly across a landscape or to jump great distances and create new infestations. The important insects and diseases to be controlled, except for viruses, are listed in the right-hand column of this spray schedule. Pest & Disease Control for Blackberry Plants Crown Gall. One of the few diseases that can completely destroy a plant, cane blight mainly enters through pruning wounds or injured canes. Pest & Disease Control for Blackberry Plants. Cane rust eventually leads to reduced fruit production and defoliation of the plant if not properly treated. The raspberry cane blight and how to control it by P. J. O'Gara, unknown edition, Labels vary greatly among commercial products of the same material. Canes die back from tips down. In the spring, buds fail to break dormancy, lateral shoots wilt, or fruiting canes die when the fruit begins to ripen. Starting with disease free plants is an important part of your disease management plan. Pruning is necessary for blackberry production, Cane rust, often confused with orange rust, is a fungal disease that afflicts blackberries. The fungus has the appearance of dust. Commercial Blackberry, Strawberry, and Blueberry Insect and Disease Control – 2015 ... destroy dead canes. Botrytis blight is a fungal disease that infects blackberry bushes when the outdoor temperature is approximately 60 degrees F, and the weather is cold and rainy. Every plant has the future potential for disease and insect damage. Branches that have the disease should be removed and burned. In the spring, spores (both ascospores and conidia) are released from mature fruiting bodies in wet weather and dispersed by splashing rain or irrigation. Informieren Sie sich in diesem Artikel über Pflanzen, die von Zuckerrohrfäule und Zuckerrohrfäule betroffen sind. The canes that develop from the crown and the roots are biennial; thus, mature blackberry plants have two types of canes. Prune out and dispose of old, diseased canes promptly after harvest. Spores are produced by the tiny black fruiting bodies and are splashed by rain and infect the canes if they remain wet. It is generally not reported in other states as a major disease of blackberries, except when winter injury occurs on thornless blackberries, and most of the reports are associated with raspberry. Raspberry spur blight is caused by a different fungus (Didymella applanata) and, although the symptoms differ, the control methods are similar. ), which can destroy your crop if it is left untreated, it will spread from one plant to your whole raspberry patch.Fortunately the disease is fairly easy to prevent, and even easier to treat. Cane Blight Control . Table 1. Cankers on apples and roses are also caused by this fungus. Cane blight is one of the more damaging diseases of raspberries. Management Guidelines: Type and Class of Livestock: Goats and sheep. Anthracnose symptoms on thornless blackberry cane. Blackberry Cane Blight of blackberries and raspberries, caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria coniothyrium, can cause significant fruit loss. The spots are often so close together on black and purple raspberries that they form large irregular areas (cankers). This year we have had these conditions and I have seen or heard of these symptoms from several locations in Arkansas and the surrounding area. Cane blight can result in wilt and death of lateral shoots, a general weakening of the cane, and reduced yield. Blackberry canes are biennial and produce fruit in the second year of growth. Cane blight is a fungal disease that begins in primocane wound sites. Weakened canes are more susceptible to winter injury. Both current and second-year canes can be affected. This pathogen also goes by the name Kuehneola uredinis, and is most likely to affect specific blackberry cultivars, such as the olallieberry, Shawnee and Choctaw varieties. Remove and destroy diseased canes from the planting as soon as you see them. LEARN HOW TO STOP THE INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, Coronavirus: Information and resources for the Extension Community, stem canker (Leptosphaeria coniothyrium). Pruning wounds are the most common site of infection, but all types of … It is not known how and where the bacteria overwinter, although they likely survive in cankers on infected canes. Prune out and dispose of old, diseased canes promptly after harvest. Anthracnose Cane blight Spur blight Blackberry X X Black raspberry X X Purple raspberry X X Red raspberry X X X. cracked (Figure 4). Cane rust spores travel on the breeze, infecting susceptible blackberry plant varieties. Practice good weed control; weeds limit air movement and slow drying time of blooms and fruit. Spraying fungicides has also proven effective. To read the article of this research, you can request a copy directly from the author. In particular, cane blight and Botryosphaeria-related diseases have been more frequently observed to cause problems in blackberry plantings where severe problems with OCB have been noted. Spur Blight. Cane blight shows as dark-brown to purple, sunken cankers with dark margins near pruning cuts or wounds. Why do we need this? Cane rust spores are commonly confused with orange rust, another fungal disease that affects blackberries. Cankers form on the cane, often at the nodes, and extend down or encircle it, causing lateral shoots to wilt and die. In wet weather, large numbers of microscopic spores ooze out of the pycnidia. Spores are produced by the tiny black fruiting bodies and are splashed by rain and infect the canes if they remain wet. Cane blight is more severe on blackberries than raspberries. If you are propagating your own materials, be sure to select only disease free stock plants! Pruning is best done during dry weather to avoid spread of the disease. See All Pest, Disease and Weed Identification, See All Beer, Hard Cider, and Distilled Spirits, See All Community Planning and Engagement, Pollinators and Pesticide Sprays during Bloom in Fruit Plantings, Strawberry Disease - Angular Leaf Spot Favors Cold, Wet Conditions, Dormant (blackberries) - before buds open, Anthracnose, cane blight, powdery mildew, rust, Delayed Dormant - just as buds begin to open, Anthracnose; spur blight on raspberries; powdery mildew, rust, and cane blight on blackberries, Anthracnose; Botrytis, cane blight, and spur blight on raspberries; fruit worms; plant bugs, Anthracnose; Botrytis, cane blight, and spur blight on raspberries; fruit worms; rose chafer; aphids; mites; plant bugs. Cane Blight of Blackberry. Information about managing pests of blackberries and raspberries in gardens and landscapes from UC IPM. Blueberry Botrytis Blight Treatment. Was ist Zuckerrohrfäule? Ever wondered what Blackberry Cane Blight looks like? Furthermore, while yield impacts resulting from OCB disease were initially not clear, recent research at the University of Georgia has now shown that OCB can significantly reduce blackberry yield. There are no fungicides available to home gardeners for the control of raspberry cane blight. Any practice that improves drying of foliage, such as keeping fruiting rows narrow and weeded, will help in the control of cane blight. Contact your local county agent for specific chemicalrecommendations. Practice good weed control; weeds limit air movement and slow drying time of blooms and fruit. Alternating these fungicides with each treatment interval ensures that the compound does its job in eliminating cane rust. Terminology Joe Masabni. Cane blight can be a major disease of blackberry in the Southeast, resulting in severe losses ‐ sometimes causing the complete destruction of fruiting canes in any given year. Later, they enlarge and become ash gray in the center with slightly raised purple margins. Prune blueberries when the plants are dormant. Orange Felt. Cane blight is one of the main blackberry diseases in the Southeast. Only disease-free plants should be planted. Fertilize to promote plant vigor, remove old canes after harvest, and control insect pests to reduce plant injuries. White lesions (bleaching effect) form on new canes and floricanes. Prune two-year-old “floricanes” that are diseased, damaged or crowded, leaving only four to six canes to bear fruit that year. Disinfest pruning shears in a 10 percent household bleach solution (containing one part bleac… Spots tend to remain small with light brown or tan centers. A major consideration in the control of this disease is the prevention of damage to or wounding of the canes. Cultural. Some products made with pyraclostrobin and boscalid are effective for use up to two times during the growing season, and others can be used up until harvest. Thornfree was observed in May and June 2010 in two growing regions in the eastern part of Slavonia in Croatia.Symptoms consisted of bleached areas between and around cane nodes with some canes showing wilt symptoms. Purchase and plant only certified, disease-free plants from reliable nurseries. Kiowa. Each blackberry cane grows for one year and produces fruit the next year. Blackberry canes do much of their growth during their first season, sending up a tall main cane, with lateral branches emerging from the sides. An infected bush will have gray-colored mold spores that are visible on dying and dead plant tissue. Blackberry canes do much of their growth during their first season, sending up a tall main cane, with lateral branches emerging from the sides. The Southeast Regional Caneberries Integrated Management Guide provides control measures for all pests. Eliminate weeds and thin out weak canes to speed up the drying of plants. Symptoms and Diagnosis. Infected areas are brownish purple and develop from the cut ends. The fungus overwinters on dead canes, which is where spores form for spring infection. Anthracnose first appears in the spring on the young shoots as small, purplish, slightly raised or sunken spots. Refer to Table 7.5 for pesticide recommendations. Spur blight will cause the infected areas to become non-productive. Canes are usually brittle at the point of infection, and may break if bent. Fungal infections typically appear during the early summer. The fungus overwinters in infected canes and on pruned cane stubs. A cane disease of blackberry (Rubus sp.) Most fungicides are utilized on a 7- to 14-day spraying schedule. As the fruit develops and ripens, the fruit becomes soft and covered with grey tufts of fungal spores. Orange Felt. Keep the area clean. It sporadically attacks canes of all Rubus species. Control of cane blight is achievable by both cultural and chemical processes if action is taken swiftly. You can help prevent fungal cane blight by using cultural practices that prevent damage to the canes. It is generally not reported in other states as a major disease of blackberries, except when winter injury occurs on thornless blackberries, and most of the reports are associated with raspberry. Carefully examine your blackberry plants and remove any unhealthy or diseased-looking canes and leaves to stop the spread of cane rust. Otherwise, spray plants at the very first sign of cane rust. Black raspberries are very susceptible. Severely infected canes wilt and die. Infected canes may blossom normally, but they usually wilt and die before they can set fruit or while they are heavy with fruit. A second type of fruiting body is produced on old canes in spring, releasing spores that can be carried for long distances on the wind. The Southeast Regional Caneberries Integrated Management Guide provides control measures for all pests. Cane blight is a fungal disease called leptosphaeria coniothyrium, which targets the stems of wild and cultivated rubus species, such as raspberries and blackberries. Application of insecticides at petal fall and again in 10 to 14 days typically provides good control of red necked cane borer. When spraying fungicides, always wear protective clothing and pay attention to drift, which pollutes groundwater and can damage nearby vehicles or machines. These spores are spread by splashing rain, wind, and insects from early spring to late fall. Remove old canes, dead wood, weak growth, and suckers. I struggled to get my Chesters established, I believe because they had weed competition. Infected canes may blossom normally, but they usually wilt and die before they can set fruit or while they are heavy with fruit. Get notified when we have news, courses, or events of interest to you. The University of Iowa Extension Service suggests planting blackberries in well-drained sandy loam with an acidic pH of 6.0 to 6.7. As a preventive measure for susceptible cultivars, spray fungicides on blackberry plants in the springtime when new green growth is approximately 1/4 inch long. Always consult the label before making pesticide applications. Profitable yields will not be achieved in the long run without control of these diseases. This video will show you some of the symptoms of this disease and allow you to self diagnose … Cane blight was resulting in poor growth and dieback of this blackberry. Cane blight may cause your berries to become small and hard, and not mature properly. Raspberry and blackberry plants need about 1-2 inches of water/week; this amount is especially critical during harvest. Die Bekämpfung von Zuckerrohrbrand ist sowohl auf kultureller als auch auf chemischer Ebene möglich. Furthermore, while yield impacts resulting from OCB disease were initially not clear, recent research at the University of Georgia has now shown that OCB can significantly reduce blackberry yield. As previously stated, controlling blueberry botrytis blight is best done through prevention. )-Cane Blight. Cane blight of raspberries is a late season disease caused by the fungus, Leptosphaeria conithyrium. This is mostly due to the wet, humid weather conditions in the region. Avoid “wet feet” by selecting a well-drained location. Liquid lime sulfur can be sprayed to reduce overwintering of cane rust in blackberries. Early in the … Early orange felt symptoms on blackberry cane are yellowish spots on the canes. Some of the most common diseases are below. Sie können dazu beitragen, Pilzinfektionen zu verhindern, indem Sie kulturelle Praktiken anwenden, die Schäden an den Stöcken verhindern. See: Raspberry (Rubus spp. Branches originating in the infected areas wilt and die. They are the size of a pinhead and vary in color depending on the species. How Long After Spraying with Triazicide May Blackberries Be Eaten? A single blackberry cane can produce a thicket six yards square in less than two years and has choked out native vegetation from Northern California to British Columbia. This is mostly due to the wet, humid weather conditions in the region. Black raspberry is more susceptible to this disease than the other brambles. Use only sharp tools for pruning, and disinfest pruning tools after each cut by dipping them for at least 30 seconds in 10% bleach or … Canes in their first year of growth are called primocanes and those in the second year of growth are called fruiting canes or floricanes. Infection occurs in late spring or early summer through pruning and insect wounds. "Several control methods work well as long as anyone going to battle against blackberry vines is armed with the benefits and drawbacks of the most common methods," Hulting said. Spores are produced from the spring through the fall. Old stubs can continue to produce inoculum for several years. Restrict pruning to periods of dry weather. Injury shows up in early spring. Sooty blotch (blackberry) Orange rust; Powdery mildew; Double blossom (blackberry) Cane blight (blackberry) Powdery mildew; If virus symptoms are present, affected plants may need to be rouged to prevent spread. Weed control. Fungicide sprays are used to treat and prevent cane rust in blackberries. Cane blight infects first year canes through wounds and grows into the vascular system. Tiny black specks visible with a hand lens develop in the centers of leafspots. After harvest, prune out floricanes to the ground; destroy them to prevent decay and fungus growth. January 2009; Authors: Phillip M. Brannen. An infected bush will have gray-colored mold spores that are visible on dying and dead plant tissue. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension.