Compendium of Raspberry and Blackberry Diseases and Pests, Second Edition

Raspberries and blackberries are enduring favorites among consumers. Unfortunately, they are also favorite host crops for a range of diseases, disorders, and pests. Protect your plants with the most up-to-date and comprehensive resource available: Compendium of Raspberry and Blackberry Diseases and Pests, Second Edition.


This new edition is organized as follows:


•  The Introduction provides an overview of the genus Rubus, addressing topics such as growth and morphology and areas of production, and discusses the various production systems under which raspberry and blackberry are grown.

•  Part I, Diseases Caused by Biotic Factors, includes sections on approximately 50 diseases organized by type of pathogen: fungi and oomycetes, bacteria, phytoplasmas, parasitic algae, viruses and viruslike agents, and nematodes. Each disease section includes information on symptoms, causal organisms, distribution, diagnostic features and detection methods, and management strategies.

•  Part II, Arthropod Pests, includes sections on 32 insect and mite pests organized by the part of the plant affected: roots and crowns, fruit, foliage, and canes. Each pest section includes information on life history and description, damage caused, and management strategies. A final section addresses insect contaminants of mechanically harvested fruit.

•  Part III, Disorders Caused by Abiotic Factors, includes sections on nutritional disorders, herbicide injuries, and environmental stresses.

•  Part IV, Effects of Cultural Practices on Disease, discusses using disease- and insect-resistant cultivars, excluding and reducing pathogen populations, and using protected cropping systems.

•  The appendix provides common names of diseases along with the pathogens that cause them, and the glossary and the index provide useful resources for readers.


Each part of the book is well illustrated with primarily color photos (approximately 200 images in all). 


The purpose of this book is to assist in the identification and management of diseases and pests, and it is intended for use by growers, crop consultants, Extension educators, diagnosticians, plant pathologists, entomologists, horticulturists, regulators, and gardeners. Management recommendations focus on cultural practices that can be applied across many growing regions. 


Quantity discounts are available for easy distribution to field representatives and other experts at your organization; VIP clients/customers in the berry industry; colleagues in state and county Extension agencies; and fellow researchers and diagnosticians at your institution.


New to the Second Edition

Since publication of the first edition in 1991, significant advancements have been made in the knowledge and management of many diseases, disorders, and pests of raspberry and blackberry. Those advances are addressed in the second edition. Similarly, major changes have occurred in production areas and practices that provide fresh raspberry and blackberry fruit year-round in many parts of the world. For example, production under tunnels is now standard practice in many regions for extending the season and for protecting fruit from moisture to reduce the incidence of fruit rot. Organic production has increased significantly, as well, posing new challenges in disease and pest management.