Effects of relative humidity on the vector of rose rosette disease, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus (Eriophyidae), and incidence of disease symptoms

Impact of humidity on the vector and rose rosette disease

Authors

  • Alejandra Monterrosa Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, Georgia 30223, USA
  • Fanny B. Iriarte Plant Pathology Department,University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy, Florida 32351, USA
  • Mathews L. Paret Plant Pathology Department,University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy, Florida 32351, USA
  • Shimat V. Joseph Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, Georgia 30223, USA

Abstract

The eriophyid mite Phyllocoptes fructiphilus Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) transmits rose rosette virus to rose (Rosa spp.; Rosaceae) while feeding, which causes serious disease referred to as rose rosette disease. Although there is no cure once rose plants are infected with rose rosette virus, understanding the response of P. fructiphilus and rose rosette disease to abiotic factors such as relative humidity may help to develop management strategies for the disease. The major objective of the current study was to determine the effect of relative humidity on the abundance of P. fructiphilus, as well as the incidence and severity of rose rosette disease symptoms. An experiment was conducted in environmentally controlled chambers where potted pink double knock-out rose plants were maintained at 20, 60, and 95% relative humidity after introducing about 20 P. fructiphilus individuals by attaching a 7-cm-long, field-collected terminal to the branches of potted plants. The densities of P. fructiphilus were recorded at biweekly intervals for 12 wk. The proportion of terminals with rose rosette disease symptoms (disease incidence) and severity of rose rosette disease symptoms was assessed using the Horsfall-Barratt scale at biweekly intervals for 14 wk. The results show that the number of P. fructiphilus individuals was significantly greater under a moderate 60% relative humidity than under a high (95%) or low (20%) relative humidity (P < 0.05). However, the incidence and severity of rose rosette disease symptoms were significantly higher under 95% relative humidity relative humidity regimen than under 20% relative humidity regimen (P < 0.05). The implications of these results on the breeding program and management of P. fructiphilus and the incidence of rose rosette disease are discussed.

Resumen

El ácaro eriófido Phyllocoptes fructiphilus Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) transmite el virus de la roseta a la rosa (Rosa spp.; Rosaceae) mientras se alimenta, lo que causa la grave enfermedad conocida como enfermedad de la roseta de la rosa. Aunque no existe cura una vez que las plantas de rosas están infectadas con el virus de la roseta de rosas, al comprender la respuesta de P. fructiphilus y la enfermedad de la roseta de rosas a factores abióticos como la humedad relativa puede ayudar a desarrollar estrategias de manejo para la enfermedad de la roseta de rosas. El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue determinar el efecto de la humedad relativa en la abundancia de P. fructiphilus, así como la incidencia y gravedad de los síntomas de la enfermedad de la roseta de rosas. Se realizó un experimento en cámaras de control ambiental donde se mantuvieron plantas de rosas rosadas con doble knock-out en macetas a 20, 60 y el 95% de humedad relativa después de introducir aproximadamente 20 individuos de P. fructiphilus mediante la colocación de una terminal recolectada en el campo de 7 cm de largo a las ramas de las plantas en macetas. Se registró la densidad de P. fructiphilus a intervalos quincenales durante 12 semanas. Se evaluó la proporción de terminales con síntomas de la enfermedad de la roseta de la rosa (incidencia de la enfermedad) y la gravedad de los síntomas de la enferme[1]dad de la roseta de la rosa mediante la escala de Horsfall-Barratt a intervalos quincenales durante 14 semanas. Los resultados muestran que el número de individuos de P. fructiphilus fue significativamente mayor bajo una humedad relativa moderada del 60% que bajo una humedad relativa alta (95%) o baja (20%) (P < 0.05). Sin embargo, la incidencia y la gravedad de los síntomas de la enfermedad de la roseta de rosas fueron significativamente más altas con el régimen de humedad relativa del 95% que con el régimen de humedad relativa del 20% (P < 0,05). Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados en el programa de mejoramiento y manejo de P. fructiphilus y la incidencia de la enfermedad de la roseta de las rosas.

Key Words: eriophyid mite; Eriophyidae; Rosa spp.; rose rosette virus; Emaravirus; nursery

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Author Biography

Shimat V. Joseph, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, Georgia 30223, USA

Entomology, Assistant Professor

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Published

2021-10-06

Issue

Vol. 104, No. 3 (September 2021)

Section

Research Papers

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