ADVANCING THE ECOLOGY OF BLACKBERRY VIRUS DISEASES IN SOUTH CAROLINA

The goal of this project is to identify and characterize ecological aspects of blackberry virus disease complexes in the Southeast. This project will catalyze future research to enhance sustainable blackberry production by providing recommendations for virus disease risk and mitigation. We will leverage high-throughput sequencing and RT-qPCR to determine viral community diversity and spread at the agroecological interface at farms in blackberry crops, wild virus reservoirs, and insect vectors. Virus diseases are the highest ranked problem facing blackberry growers in the Southeast. Virus co-infections are common and the evolutionary consequences are not well understood. Identifying and characterizing the major biological players associated with blackberry virus disease decline will provide an important foundation for specific, adoptable, and effective management strategies.The following specific objectives will address our long-term goals:Objective 1. Assess blackberry virus prevalence and genetic diversity in blackberry crops and in wild Rubus spp. in South Carolina.Objective 2. Characterize insect vector dynamics at the agroecological interface in association with virus landscape movement.