A review of raspberry bushy dwarf virus at HRI-East Malling and the situation on a sample of commercial holdings in England in 1995 and 1996

Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV) has been present in the breeding plots a t East Malling for at least 20 years. Although this has caused the loss of some breeding lines, it has provided a unique opportunity to select for res istance to pollen-associated infection. Some cvs and selections have remain ed free of RBDV for many years, showing that this type of resistance can be exploited effectively and is present in some important cvs such as Lee. At least some of the isolates at HRI-East Malling are resistance-breaking (RB ) isolates, able to overcome resistance to graft inoculation with non-RE is olates of RBDV. In commercial plantings, Loganberries have been infected wi th RE isolates for many years but, until relatively recently, modern raspbe rry cvs were not infected with RBDV. Surveys in two important raspberry gro wing regions (Kent and the West Midlands) in 1995 and 1996 identified infec ted plots of Autumn Bliss, Dinkum, Lee, Glen Moy, Malling Admiral, and WI. Delight (the last three cvs are resistant to graft inoculation by non-RE is olates).