Resistance to the fruit infection phase of mummy berry disease in highbushblueberry cultivars

Sixty-eight highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivars and sele ctions were evaluated over 3 years for their resistance to the fruit infect ion phase of mummy berry disease [Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi (Reade) Hone y]. Average incidence of fruit infection under test conditions was 34.3% in 1995, 14.4% in 1996, and 27.9% in 1997, with significant differences occur ring among clones in all 3 test years. Several cultivars exhibited consiste nt resistance to mummy berry fruit infection across all years of testing. ' Northsky', 'Reka', 'Northblue', 'Cape Fear', 'Bluegold', 'Puru', and 'Bluej ay' were among the most resistant, and 'Atlantic', 'Berkeley', 'Herbert', a nd 'E-176' were among the most susceptible. The consistent resistant reacti on of certain cultivars indicates that they may be suitable as parents for introducing resistance into a breeding program. No significant correlation was observed between blighting resistance and fruit infection resistance.