Diseases of Rose

Jay W. Pscheidt and Tatiana Gomez Rodriguez

AbstractRoses are one of the most popular flowering plants in the world and tend to have afew common disease problems such as black spot, Botrytis blight, downy mildew,powdery mildew, and rust. There are a dozen different fungal diseases, fourbacterial problems, three nematodes, and many viral diseases that occur onroses. Several are root or root crown-related diseases, but most are concerns forcanes, leaves, and especially flowers. Cultural management of these diseases iseffective especially when combined with genetic resistance. Chemical manage-ment of important problems is useful for favored, susceptible rose cultivars.

KeywordsRose • Black spot • Botrytis blight • Downy mildew • Powdery mildew • Rust •Diseases • Disease management • Rosarian

Contents1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Fungal and Oomycete Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2.1 Armillaria Root Rot (Armillaria mellea (Vahl: Fr.) P. Kumm. 1871) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.2 Black Mold (Thielaviopsis thielavioides (Peyronel) A.E. Paulin,

T.C. Harr. & McNew 2002) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.3 Black Spot (Diplocarpon rosae F.A. Wolf 1912) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

J.W. Pscheidt (*)Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USAe-mail: pscheidj@science.oregonstate.edu

T.G. RodriguezGR Chia SAS, Centro Empresarial Centro Chia Oficina 304 Chia, Cundinamarca, Bogotá,Colombiae-mail: tatiana.gomez@grchia.com

# Springer International Publishing AG 2016R.J. McGovern, W.H. Elmer (eds.), Handbook of Florist's Crops Diseases, Handbook ofPlant Disease Management, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-32374-9_23-1

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2.4 Botrytis Bud and Twig Blight (Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr. 1794) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72.5 Brand Canker (Coniothyrium wernsdorffiae Laubert 1905) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72.6 Brown Canker (Cryptosporella umbrina (Jenk.) Jenk. & Wehm. 1935) . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.7 Cercospora Leaf Spot (Pseudocercospora puderi B.H. Davis ex Deighton 1976)

(Passalora rosicola (Pass.) U. Braun 1995) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.8 Common Canker (Paraconiothyrium fuckelii (Sacc.) Verkley & Gruyter 2012) . . . . 102.9 Cutting Rots (Cylindrocladium scoparium Morg. 1892 and Fusarium spp.) . . . . . . . 102.10 Downy Mildew (Peronospora sparsa Berk. 1862) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112.11 Myrothecium Gall (Myrothecium sp.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122.12 Petal Spots (Ghost Spot) (Many Fungi Possible Such as Bipolaris, Botrytis,

Cercospora, and/or Cladosporium) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132.13 Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera pannosa (Wallr.: Fr.) de Bary 1870) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132.14 Replant Disease (Many) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162.15 Rust (Phragmidium mucronatum (Pers.) Schltdl. 1824 and

Many Other Species.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172.16 Spot Anthracnose (Elsinoe rosarum Jenk. & Bitanc. 1957) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182.17 Verticillium Wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb. 1913) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182.18 Miscellaneous Fungal and Oomycete Diseases of Minor Importance or

Considered Rare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Bacterial and Phytoplasma Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.1 Bacterial Cane Blight (Pseudomonas syringae – Undetermined Pathovar) . . . . . . . . . . 193.2 Bacterial Leaf Spot and Blast (Pseudomonas syringae pv. morsprunorum ) . . . . . . . . . 203.3 Crown Gall (Agrobacterium radiobacter (Beijerinck and Van Delden 1902)

Conn 1942 or Also Known as Rhizobium radiobacter(Beijerinck and Van Delden 1902)Young et al. 2001) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3.4 Miscellaneous Bacterial Diseases of Minor Importance or Considered Rare . . . . . . . . . 234 Viral Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

4.1 Rose Leaf Curl (AVirus Is Suspected) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234.2 Rose Mosaic [Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), Apple mosaic

virus (ApMV), Arabis mosaic virus(ArMV), and Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

4.3 Rose Rosette (Rose Rosette Virus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244.4 Rose Spring Dwarf (Rose Spring Dwarf-Associated Virus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254.5 Rose Yellow Mosaic (Rose Yellow Mosaic Virus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264.6 Miscellaneous Viral or Virus-Like Diseases of Minor Importance or

Considered Rare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Nematode Diseases (Meloidogyne hapla, Pratylenchus Penetrans,

P. Vulnus, and Xiphinema Diversicaudatum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

1 Introduction

Roses are one of the most popular flowering plants in the world grown as cut flowersin greenhouses, as whole plants in nurseries or in backyards. There tend to be a fewcommon problems in each growing situation, such as black spot, Botrytis blight,downy mildew, powdery mildew, and rust. Some problems have become troublesomeduring the 2010s including downy mildew and rose rosette. Major regional differencesoccur, such as rose replant disease, which is of concern in Europe but not recognized asa problem in North America. Powdery mildew, downy mildew, rust, and Botrytisblight are more problematic under greenhouse and tropical weather conditions found

2 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

in production houses in Central and South America. Disease management andhandling increases commercial production costs and limits rose production.

In Colombia, pest management has improved by switching from traditionalproduction in the ground with drip irrigation to hydroponics. This change hasresulted in better area usage, nutrition, and soil pest management, ultimately leadingto better rose quality and productivity. Production takes place most commonly underplastic cover (in greenhouses) with varying degrees of environmental control.Although rose is a perennial, in this production system, it only has a useful life of8–15 years. About 6.5 plants/m2 or 380 plants per bed are used in a double row ofplastic containers with nutrient film technique (NFT) subirrigation. In the hydro-ponic system, beds are covered by white plastic mulch or raw rice husks to improvesoil moisture and facilitate weed management. It takes approximately 750–820degrees days (equivalent to 70–80 calendar days), depending on the cultivar ofrose, from the time of pruning to the first flower crop (Fig. 1).

An important consideration before implementing a disease management plan isthe ultimate goal of growing roses. A backyard, non-gardener grower of a simplerose bush will have very different goals and concerns than the rosarian growingspecific bushes for competitions or the nurseryman growing bare-root plants, plantsin containers or cuttings. The grower’s tolerance for various diseases will differradically among these groups. We will cover many different management tactics.Choose the tactics most applicable for your situation.

2 Fungal and Oomycete Diseases

2.1 Armillaria Root Rot (Armillaria mellea (Vahl: Fr.) P. Kumm.1871)

Geographic occurrence and impact.Worldwide, an occasional problem dependingon the history of the growing area.

Fig. 1 Hydroponic production of roses in Sabana Bogotá. Left – 8-week-old plants in rice hullsubstrate. Right – same plants at 4 months old (Photo courtesy of Tatiana Gomez Rodriguez)

Diseases of Rose 3

Symptoms/signs. Aboveground symptoms are general and not specific. Diag-nostic mycelial fans can be observed beneath the bark of the root crown of infectedplants. Dig down about 15 cm (6 in.) below the soil line, and use a pocketknife toremove thin layers of bark from the root collar. Mycelial fans are thick, white layersof the fungus that adhere to the inner root bark and/or the wood beneath the bark. Thefungus also makes black, shoestring-like structures called rhizomorphs, which areoccasionally found within the bark and/or extending into surrounding soil.Rhizomorphs may look like roots on the outside but have an entirely differentstructure when cut open in cross section.

Biology and epidemiology. The fungus, infects roots, killing the cambium anddecaying the underlying xylem. Occasionally found on rose, this root pathogen isfound in native vegetation where it occurs on the roots of many forest tree speciesand agronomic and ornamental hosts. The host range includes over 500 species ofwoody plants. The fungus spreads slowly, below ground, from root to root, and cansurvive on woody host roots for long periods. When infected plants are removed,infected roots that remain below ground serve as a source of inoculum for otherplants placed in the same location. Infection occurs when rose roots come in directcontact with partially decayed tree roots and are colonized by mycelium. Infectioncan also occur when roots contact rhizomorphs that grow out from partially decayedroots and through the soil.

Management• Cultural practices – Roses that are vigorous, as a result of favorable climate and

sound cultural practices usually are more tolerant. Water deeply when watering isneeded. Avoid surface watering, especially wetting the root crown and trunk rootarea. If using drip irrigation, move drip-line emitters away from the root crownand in between plants. Remove severely infected bushes and destroy them, beingcareful to remove small roots from the soil. Permanently removing soil fromaround the root crown and main root area has been effective in tree fruits grown inCalifornia and Australia and may be of benefit for managing infected busheselsewhere (Schnabel et al. 2012).

2.2 Black Mold (Thielaviopsis thielavioides (Peyronel) A.E. Paulin,T.C. Harr. & McNew 2002)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Pacific Northwest of North America – rare,unknown how important in other regions. Fungus found in South America (Brazil),North America, Europe, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Symptoms/signs. Awhite, granular, fungal growth that spreads rapidly over cutand bruised areas of stock and scion. Soon the growth turns black.

Biology and epidemiology. The fungus grows on the ends of “Manetti” cuttings(Rosa chinensis var. manetti) and on wounds left by disbudding, resulting in poorcallus formation and, subsequently, poor root formation (Milbrath 1946). It developsunder bud shields on field-budded “Manetti,” thus preventing callus formation andcausing the bud to die. The fungus also may damage rose roots if the plants are in

4 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

storage too long before planting or if plants are overwatered after planting. The chiefinfection source is fungal spores in the dust and debris of storage houses where theplants are handled and cuttings prepared for planting.

Management• Cultural practices – Practice strict sanitation in greenhouses, storage bins,

and storage houses. Wash all dust and debris from the walls and floorsbefore disinfecting storage house and bins. Use only uncontaminated stock forplanting.

2.3 Black Spot (Diplocarpon rosae F.A. Wolf 1912)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Worldwide. Repeated defoliation from thisdisease leads to low vigor, inferior blooms, and high susceptibility to winter injury.Very common on plants grown outdoors.

Symptoms/signs. Circular black spots, frequently with fringed (diffuse or feath-ery) margins, on the leaf. Yellowing and defoliation are common in susceptiblecultivars. Bare stems with few leaves attached near the top is a frequent symptom. Inwet weather, spots may become very severe and coalesce to make large irregularspots covering a third of the leaf surface. In cases of severe infections, similarappearing lesions also form on the stems. May be confused with other fungal leafspotting diseases (Fig. 2).

Biology and epidemiology. The fungus overwinters on living or dead plant tissuethat was infected in the previous growing season. Newly emerging leaves are mostsusceptible to this fungus. Spores produced on the old plant material are splashed onyoung plant tissue by rains or by watering. After conidia land on a leaf, it takes atleast 9 h of leaf wetness for the spore to infect.

Once the fungus is established in plant tissues, fungal fruiting bodies (acervuli)form in the spots in 11–30 days. A new crop of spores is produced and spreads tohealthy portions of the plant. The cycle of infection is ready to begin again within10–18 days. Rainy periods in any season encourage black spot, as long as thetemperatures are between 10 �C and 26 �C (50–80 �F).

Leaves infected with black spot produce the plant hormone ethylene. In leaves,high ethylene content leads to leaf drop. As a result, rose plants infected with blackspot are defoliated early and look bare. Leaves may drop after only one or twolesions. Dropped leaves around the base of the plant then serve as a reservoir offungal spores, re-infecting the plant during subsequent rains or irrigation. Thenatural genetic variability of the fungus means roses found resistant in one regionmay be susceptible in another region due to the presence of different fungal strains.Also, resistant roses may become susceptible after a few years due to changes in thelocal fungal population.

Management• Cultural practices – Plant cultivars known to be resistant in your area. Note that

the cultivar Carefree Spirit was the first landscape shrub to survive for 2 years in

Diseases of Rose 5

All-American Rose Selections (AARS) tests without any fungicide and voted awinner. Avoid dense plantings and shaded areas. Avoid overhead watering thatkeeps plants wet for extended periods of time. Rake up and burn all leaves in arose planting at season’s end. Prune canes back to two buds if canes are infected.Remove and destroy diseased canes before bud break.

• Fungicides – Focus applications at the beginning of the season starting at budbreak. Apply frequently in wet weather and occasionally in drier periods (1- to2-week intervals). May become very difficult to manage once the disease getsstarted. Almost every fungicide on the market is registered in the USA for thisdisease on this crop, but only one or two materials are needed at any one time.Alternate or tank-mix materials with different modes of action to prevent devel-oping resistant fungal populations.

Research in Alabama, USA, indicates that monthly dormant season applicationsof Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) group 3 fungicides may helpreduce or delay onset of this disease (Bowen and Roark 2001). Informationdeveloped by FRAC may be accessed at: http://www.frac.info/.

Bicarbonate-based materials are not recommended for use in high diseasepressure regions as one will get poor control using these products (Pscheidt andOcamb 2016). Chlorothalonil-based products may be a problem on “Knock Out”and “Double Delight” roses resulting in damaged foliage. Rosarians may not likethe plant growth regulation effect (slight stunting) that may result from the use ofFRAC group 3 fungicides. Always watch for warnings on labels of variousproducts.

Fig. 2 Black spot leaf symptoms (left) and stem lesions with severe defoliation (right) (Photocourtesy of Jay W. Pscheidt)

6 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

2.4 Botrytis Bud and Twig Blight (Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr. 1794)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Worldwide but mostly a problem in green-house cut flower production.

Symptoms/signs. Infected buds may fail to open, droop, and develop smooth,slightly sunken, grayish black lesions. A grayish brown mycelial growth maydevelop on the entire bud and extend into the stem. Petal tips may become brown,or numerous small flecks, circular brown spots, or blister-like patches may appear onpetals (Fig. 5). Infected stubs or pruning wounds will develop into cane blights orcankers. Canes may be girdled, causing stem collapse.

Biology and epidemiology. The fungus is ubiquitous and survives well as asaprophyte on dead plant debris as mycelium or sclerotia. Conidia from thesesources or from active infections initiate new infections. Common entry pointsinclude pruning wounds including those from normal winter pruning or fromremoving spent flowers (Pie and De Leeuw 1991). Buds, flowers, leaves, andstems can be infected directly when the fungus produces enzymes that degradecomponents of the cuticle. Healthy tissue can become infected through weakenedor dead tissues that are colonized by the fungus. It may also be a secondary invaderattacking plants already infected with another pathogen.

A moist, humid environment is ideal for pathogen sporulation and spread. Sporedispersal is stimulated by changes in relative humidity (Hausbeck and Moorman1996). Concentrations peak in the greenhouse during irrigating, spraying pesticides,harvest, and shipping. Often the infection is imperceptible when cutting and packingflowers; however, moist conditions that occur during transport and/or storage favordisease development. Frost and cold injury to canes and buds can also contribute todisease development. Bare-root nursery stock held in moist, cold storage conditionsalso can develop Botrytis blight on canes and roots.

Management• Cultural practices – Timely detection of the first signs of disease is essential.

Collect and destroy infected plant debris and tissues from and around the flowers,stems, and leaves. Reduce greenhouse moisture by raising the temperature,venting, and/or increasing air circulation. Space plants for adequate air move-ment. Use drip rather than overhead irrigation. Use calcium nitrate, gypsum, orsimilar calcium source topdressed or incorporated into growing media.

• Fungicides – Use as a foliar spray, but focus on cultural controls. Alternate ortank-mix materials with different modes of action to prevent developing resistantfungal populations. Fungicides from the following groups are effective if resis-tance is not a problem: FRAC groups 1, 2, 7, 9, 12, 14, and 17. Good to mix oralternate with FRAC group M3 or M5 fungicides.

2.5 Brand Canker (Coniothyrium wernsdorffiae Laubert 1905)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Commonly found in North and South Amer-ica, Europe, and Russia. Canker diseases can severely impact improperly grownroses leading to entire loss of the desired scion.

Diseases of Rose 7

Symptoms/signs. Discolored (yellow to red) spots that gradually enlarge with thecenter turning light brown. In cut flower production, the cut stem turns yellow toblack as the pathogen advances from the cut down to the base of the stem. Brandcanker develops a reddish brown or purple margin that contrasts sharply with thenormal green rose cane (Fig. 3). Small black fruiting bodies (pycnidia) developtoward the center of damaged tissue. Brand canker that develops under the snow linewill at first in spring be black, but then it develops as described above after beinguncovered several weeks. Cankers may girdle stems, causing stems and shootsabove that point to wilt and die. The disease can be easily confused with commoncanker (Paraconiothyrium fuckelii) or brown canker (Cryptosporella umbrina).

Biology and epidemiology. The fungus infects cane wounds caused by pruning,harvesting flowers, insects, thorn scars, or scratches (Intrama 1968). Contaminatedcutting knives, scissors, or pruners are a major source of the pathogen. Cool wintertemperatures and winter coverings that keep canes moist also favor brand canker.

Management• Cultural practices – Avoid injuring canes. Prune canes with a disinfected, sharp

knife or pruner immediately above a node. Avoid leaving long stubs above a node.Frequently clean and disinfect cutting tools (refer to chapter “▶ Sanitation inFlorists’ Crops Disease Management”). Cut and destroy infected caneswell below the affected area. Prevent irrigation from wetting the plant and/oruse drip irrigation. Use a winter protecting mulch that does not hold much watersuch as sand, rock pumice, or coarse bark. Use a balanced fertilizer with moderatenitrogen.

Fig. 3 Brand canker has gray lesions with a dark border that restricts water and nutrient movementin the cane (Photos courtesy of OSU Extension Plant Pathology Slide Collection (left) and byTatiana Gomez Rodriguez (right))

8 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

2.6 Brown Canker (Cryptosporella umbrina (Jenk.) Jenk. & Wehm.1935)

Geographic occurrence and impact. The disease is worldwide both in greenhouseand outside landscapes. Canker diseases can severely impact improperly grownroses leading to entire loss of the desired scion.

Symptoms/signs. Small red to purple spots appear on current season canes. Spotsenlarge into whitish necrotic lesions with reddish purple boarders during the wintermonths. Cankers may coalesce and can be 2.5–10 cm (1–4 in. long. Small blackpycnidia can be seen in the cankered area. Cankers can cause wilt in and kill distalportions of the cane. It is easily confused with other canker diseases such as brand orcommon canker.

Biology and epidemiology. High moisture environments (such as hilling forwinter protection) favor the disease (Horst and Cloyd 2007). Spores can penetrateuninjured tissue. Lesions can form after 10 days under favorable conditions.

Management• Cultural practices – Cultural practices similar to common canker will be effec-

tive. Sanitation is very important. Prune canes with a sharp knife or prunerimmediately above a node when first symptoms are noticed. Cut and destroyinfected canes well below the affected area. Remove and destroy canes beforesporulation occurs.

2.7 Cercospora Leaf Spot (Pseudocercospora puderi B.H. Davis exDeighton 1976) (Passalora rosicola (Pass.) U. Braun 1995)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Worldwide. Misidentification of this diseaseon black spot resistant cultivars can lead to defoliation and loss of vigor.

Symptoms/signs. Numerous tiny maroon to purple oval lesions develop ran-domly across the leaf surface. The center of these spots then turns tan to gray, whilethe margins of spots remain maroon to dark purple. Heavily spotted leaves turnyellow and are prematurely shed. Typically, leaf loss begins at the base of the canesand gradually spreads upwards through the plant canopy towards the shoot tips. Inthe southeast USA, symptoms get worse through the summer and into early fall untilmany of the leaves are prematurely lost. Leaves are most often infected but stems,pedicels, fruits, and bracts can also have symptoms.

Biology and epidemiology. Damage appears to be greater on shrub and groundcover roses compared with hybrid tea and grandiflora roses. Spores produced in thespots are rain splashed to healthy foliage. Rainy weather favors the disease.

Management• Cultural practices – Avoid dense plantings and shaded areas. Avoid overhead

watering that keeps plants wet for extended periods of time. Rake up and burn allleaves at season’s end.

Diseases of Rose 9

• Fungicides – FRAC fungicide groups M5, 3, and 11 were found to be effective(Hagan and Akridge 2005).

2.8 Common Canker (Paraconiothyrium fuckelii (Sacc.) Verkley &Gruyter 2012)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Commonly found worldwide. Canker dis-eases can severely impact improperly grown roses leading to entire loss of thedesired scion.

Symptoms/signs. Discolored (yellow to red) spots that gradually enlarge with thecenter turning light brown. Common canker has a darker brown margin and gener-ally starts to develop at the cane’s cut end. Small black fruiting bodies (pycnidia)develop toward the center of damaged tissue. Cankers may girdle stems, causingstems and shoots above that point to wilt and die. The disease is easily confused withbrown or brand canker.

Biology and epidemiology. The fungus infects cane wounds caused by pruning,insects, thorn scars, or scratches (Intrama 1968). Common canker is favored byimproper pruning, especially leaving long stubs above the last node. Commoncanker lesions developed more rapidly on young succulent stems than on oldercanes. High nitrogen fertility also increased common canker size.

Management• Cultural practices – Avoid injuring canes. Prune canes with a sharp knife or

pruner immediately above a node. Avoid leaving long stubs above a node. Cutand destroy infected canes well below the affected area. Use a winter protectingmulch that does not hold much water such as sand, rock pumice, or coarse bark.Use a balanced fertilizer with moderate nitrogen.

2.9 Cutting Rots (Cylindrocladium scoparium Morg. 1892and Fusarium spp.)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Western North America and South America.A problem when trying to root new plants from soft wood cuttings.

Symptoms. General yellowing, wilting, and loss of lower leaves. Yellowingprogresses upward from the base of the cutting. Cuttings show a basal stem rotwhere the base of the cutting becomes water soaked and sunken and turns darkbrown.

Biology and epidemiology. The Oregon State University Plant Clinic has diag-nosed cutting rots many times with the association of Fusarium spp., while ChaseAg Consulting, LLC, has reported that Cylindrocladium spp. are found in cuttingrots of potted miniature roses (Chase 2015). Many fungi can be spread whencontaminated rooting solutions are used just before sticking cuttings in media. Afew infected cuttings in a dipping solution can inoculate all the other cuttings that

10 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

come in contact with the same solution. Disease is encouraged by warm wetconditions, which are typical when trying to root cuttings (Philley et al. 2001).

Management• Cultural practices – Take cuttings from field plants above the splash zone. Rain

and irrigation can splash soil particles as well as microorganisms onto plants. Donot take cuttings from obviously or subtly diseased plants. Take cuttings in themorning and/or after irrigation when they are more fully hydrated. Use sharp toolsto remove cuttings, buds, or leaf tissue. Clean tools and soak in a disinfectant. Usetwo tools so a worker can trim or cut with one while the other soaks. When donewith a batch, cultivar, etc., switch one tool for the other and allow the used one tosoak. Saturate media 24 h before sticking. Make bottom cuts through nodes tohelp stimulate meristematic activity. Make all cuts of stems or leaves with cleansharp tools. Use disposable gloves and aprons for workers. Disinfect the storagefacility with peroxide or quaternary ammonium products before cuttings comein. Disinfect the sticking area before work begins and frequently while sticking.Disinfect carts, benches, and any containers that come in contact with cuttings.Clean the floors at least once a day. Use as little misting as possible after stickingcuttings. Use only enough water to prevent cuttings from wilting. Mist should notwet the media until roots are formed. Adjust misting based on weather conditionssuch as sunny vs cloudy weather. Water cuttings after sticking and once on thebench. Maintain moderate media moisture while cuttings are forming callus. Startdrying the media once callus has formed and reduce mist. Once roots form, drymedia a little more but just enough to prevent wilting. Uniform moisture from topto bottom of media is important. Careful and frequent scouting for problems isimportant. Remove, diagnose, and destroy any diseased cuttings.

• Fungicides – Use products containing FRAC fungicide group 12 on the stockplants the day prior to cutting selection or just after sticking cuttings into media.

2.10 Downy Mildew (Peronospora sparsa Berk. 1862)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Commonly found worldwide and of majorimportance.

Symptoms/signs. Purplish-red to dark brown, irregular spots on leaves. Leafletsmay yellow but contain “green island” areas. Major leaf veins often restrict fungalgrowth such that lesions become angular as they enlarge. A grayish spore mass maybe on the leaf underside if humidity persists. However, the diagnostic sporulation ofthis fungus is not abundant. Defoliation also may occur in extreme cases. Small spotsor long purplish areas may form on canes and may kill twigs. Some people mayconfuse this with black spot or even rust. In the early stages, it may get confused withnutrient deficiency or spray injury. In advanced stages, stem lesions may have whitesporulation (Fig. 4).

Biology and epidemiology. This fungus-like organism can be systemic in roses.It overwinters as mycelium in stems, root crowns, and roots or as oospores in leaf

Diseases of Rose 11

debris and stems (Aegerter et al. 2002). Humidity above 85% and cool temperaturesfavor the disease. Infection usually occurs on young plant parts. Cuttings taken frominfected stock plants will carry the disease. Infected stock may or may not showsymptoms. Excess nitrogen favors disease development.

Management• Cultural practices – Lower humidity in the greenhouse by raising temperatures

and venting at key times of day. Rake leaves and prune out old flowers and stems.Burn or bury them or send them to a landfill. Take cuttings from plants with nohistory of the disease. Scout plants carefully for symptoms of the disease espe-cially the undersides of leaves and any stock plants or plants held over from theprevious year. Remove and destroy any tissue with symptoms of the disease.Entire leaves should be removed even if one leaflet has symptoms. Although hotwater soaks have been effective, they have also damaged cuttings. Hot watersoaks are not recommended until time and temperature durations have beeninvestigated. Maintain adequate, not excessive, fertility. Silicon applicationshave been found to help strengthen tissue and minimize tissue damage inColombia.

• Fungicides – Focus on cultural control methods first. Do not use mefenoxam-based products (FRAC group 4 fungicides) alone as they may not offer muchcontrol, and encourage resistance to develop. Chemical control tactics helpprevent infection but may not be helpful once the disease starts. Fungicidesfrom the following groups are effective if resistance is not a problem: FRACgroups 4, 33, and 40 and some FRAC group 11 materials.

2.11 Myrothecium Gall (Myrothecium sp.)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Tropical regions.

Fig. 4 Downy mildew can easily be confused for black spot or other problems (Photo courtesy ofMelodie Putnam (left) and Tatiana Gomez Rodriguez (center and right))

12 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

Symptoms/signs. A malformation or gall occurs at a cane node where a flowerstem was removed. The gall is made of cortical tissue and can resemble the gills of afish. The gall encompasses the cut surface and the lower portion of the new stem thatdeveloped from that node. The surface of the galled tissue becomes white to graywith orange yellow dots. Several galls can occur on the same stem. Small orange/pink fruiting bodies (sporodochia) develop toward the center of damaged tissue(Fig. 5).

Biology and epidemiology. The fungus infects through pruning wounds. Con-taminated cutting knives, scissors, or pruners are a major inoculum source. Thefungus is favored by temperatures between 21 �C and 27 �C with conditions of highrelative humidity > 70%.

Management• Cultural practices – Avoid injuring canes. Prune canes with a disinfected, sharp

knife or pruner immediately above a node. Avoid leaving long stubs above anode. Frequently clean and disinfect cutting tools (refer to chapter “▶ Sanitationin Florists’ Crops Disease Management”). Cut and destroy infected canes wellbelow the affected area. Avoid water splashes caused by irrigation, prefer theirrigation drip. Use a winter protecting mulch that does not hold much water suchas sand, rock pumice, or coarse bark.

2.12 Petal Spots (Ghost Spot) (Many Fungi Possible Suchas Bipolaris, Botrytis, Cercospora, and/or Cladosporium)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Worldwide. Damage makes flowersunmarketable.

Symptoms. Numerous small spots develop on petals as buds are opening throughflowering. Spots may have colored or darkened margins depending on the cultivarand fungus involved (Fig. 6).

Biology and epidemiology.Warm, humid/wet conditions favor disease develop-ment especially during rainy weather.

Management• Cultural practices – Keep rainfall off blooms. Prune off symptomatic buds as

soon as disease is noticed.

2.13 Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera pannosa (Wallr.: Fr.) de Bary1870)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Commonly found worldwide on roses andother members of the rose family.

Symptoms/signs. White, powdery, fungal growth on young leaves, shoots, andbuds. When scouting, check on the underside of leaves with good lighting

Diseases of Rose 13

conditions, as this is where it may first start. Distorted growth is common especiallyif young tissues are infected. If the disease is severe, foliage is stunted (Fig. 7).

Biology and epidemiology. The fungus overwinters in infected buds, rose leaves,twigs and branches. Infected buds grow in spring but are stunted and white withfungal conidia. Conidia are released in response to abrupt decreases in relativehumidity. Wind blows conidia to healthy foliage where they start new mildewcolonies. Germination and growth of conidia happen most readily on nights withhigh humidity or heavy dew and at temperatures near 21 �C (70 �F). Too much water,such as flowing water or rain, destroys spores by causing them to burst. The fungusdoes not grow in a leaf, but rather across the surface. Small anchor cells of thefungus, haustoria, remain in the leaf and take nourishment from the rose plant, butthe main filaments and the multitudes of spores it produces are outside the leaf.

Fig. 6 Botrytis sp. has infected the petals (Photo courtesy of Melodie Putnam (left) and TatianaGomez Rodriguez (center and right))

Fig. 5 Galls can be starting at pruning wounds (Photo courtesy of Tatiana Gomez Rodriguez)

14 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

Newly unfurled leaves are more susceptible to infection than mature leaves. Increas-ing day lengths to 20–22 h were shown to reduce conidial production on greenhouseroses while maintaining postharvest quality (Suthaparan et al. 2010). Brief exposureto red light during the dark period may also do the same. Small, black fruitingstructures (chasmothecia) also allow the fungus to overwinter on plant parts anddebris. Ascospores from chasmothecia initiate new infections. The disease candevelop under relatively dry conditions so long as the air is humid. Plants in shadetend to have more problems because that environment favors disease development.Multiple disease cycles occur during the growing season. Climbers, ramblers, andhybrid teas are susceptible. The natural genetic variability of the fungus means rosesfound resistant in one location may be susceptible in another due to the presence ofdifferent fungal strains. Also, resistant roses may become susceptible after a fewyears due to changes in the local fungal population.

Management• Cultural practices – Plant cultivars known to be powdery mildew resistant in

your area. Note that the cultivar Carefree Spirit was the first landscape shrub tosurvive for 2 years in AARS tests without any fungicide and voted a winner.Isolate susceptible cultivars. Space plantings for good air circulation betweenplants. Prune canes when dormant for an open habit also for good air circulation.Remove and destroy diseased canes. Rake and destroy fallen leaves. Use a high-pressure water hose to thoroughly wet all leaf and cane surfaces in the earlyafternoon so plants dry quickly. May need to do this two or three times a week. InWestern Oregon, this reduced but did not eliminate powdery mildew. Brieflyexposing plants to red light during the dark interval has some utility againstpowdery mildew in greenhouse production.

• Fungicides – Applying a dormant spray of lime sulfur at one part lime sulfur tonine parts water may help a planting that had severe powdery mildew the year

Fig. 7 Powdery mildew symptoms are not generally seen on the flower petals, but early infectionscan deform flower buds and affect the bloom (Photo courtesy of Jay W. Pscheidt (left) and TatianaGomez Rodriguez (center and right))

Diseases of Rose 15

before. Foliar applications of potassium salts have been found in Colombia tohelp reduce fungal sporulation. Apply foliar fungicides during the growingseason, starting in early spring when young growth first appears. May needfrequent applications, depending on the fungicide, to control the disease. Almostevery fungicide on the market is registered for this disease on this crop, but onlyone or two materials are needed at any one time. Alternate or tank-mix productswith different modes of action to prevent buildup of resistant fungal populations.Rosarians may not like the plant growth regulation effect (slight stunting) thatmay result from the use of FRAC group 3 or group 8 fungicides. Use of sulfur,which is a very effective organic material, can also stunt shoots, and frequenthandling of sprayed foliage can irritate skin. Chlorothalonil-based products maybe a problem on “Knock Out” and “Double Delight” roses resulting in damagedfoliage. Always watch for warnings on labels of various products.

• Biological control – Various Bacillus-based products are available and may haveefficacy beyond the use of water alone but will not be as effective as manysynthetic materials.

2.14 Replant Disease (Many)

Geographic occurrence and impact. The problem appears to be important on rosesin Europe but has not been recognized in the Pacific Northwest of North America.

Symptoms. The poor growth produced in replant situations may not be noticedunless you had a comparison. Roses planted into soil that has never grown roses(virgin soil) or on fumigated or sterilized soil would produce much more luxuriant,vigorous growth than when the same rose is replanted in an area that has grown rosesfor many years.

Biology and epidemiology. Replant diseases are complexes of biological andenvironmental factors that vary by geographic region (Pscheidt and Ocamb 2016).This is a real disease complex in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) of the USA for manycrops in the rose family including pome fruit such as apple and pear and stone fruitsuch as cherry and peach. Similar problems exist for other crops such as strawberry(black root rot).

In the PNW, roses planted into grounds that have grown roses before appear togrow fine. The Washington Park International Rose Test Garden in Portland ORreports that they routinely remove a thousand plants every winter and replant athousand new ones. They have not noted a replant problem.

Management• Cultural practices – When replanting roses, follow correct planting practices.

Correct any soil problems such as pH or drainage. You can also plant into newareas of your production site or rotate out of rose crops for several years beforeplanting roses again on the same ground.

16 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

2.15 Rust (Phragmidium mucronatum (Pers.) Schltdl. 1824and Many Other Species.)

Geographic occurrence and impact.Worldwide. Repeated defoliation leads to lowvigor, inferior blooms, and high susceptibility to winter injury.

Phragmidium americanum (Peck) Dietel 1905 – Eastern North America andJapanP. andersonii Shear 1902 – Northern North America; Asia; EuropeP. bulbosum (F. Strauss) Schltdl. 1824 – Africa, Asia, EuropeP. butleri Syd. & P. Syd. 1907 – AsiaP. fusiforme J. Schröt. 1870 – Temperate northern hemisphereP. kamtschatkae (H.W. Anderson) Arthur & Cummins 1933 – Asia, EuropeP. montivagum Arthur 1909 – Temperate North America and Asia; USSRP. mucronatum (Pers.) Schltdl. 1824 – WorldwideP. occidentale Arthur 1901 – North AmericaP. rosae-arkansanae Dietel 1905 – Central North AmericaP. rosae-californicae Dietel 1905 – Western North AmericaP. rosae-pimpinellifoliae Dietel 1905 – North America; temperate EuropeP. rosicola (Ellis & Everh.) Arthur 1934 – Central North AmericaP. speciosum (Fr.) Burrill 1875 – North AmericaP. tuberculatum J. Müll. 1885 – Asia, Africa, Europe, North and Central AmericaSymptoms/signs. Small orange pustules (aecia) appear early in spring on both

leaf surfaces. Later, the pustules enlarge and become more numerous on lower leafsurfaces (Fig. 8). Mottled and chlorotic areas may develop on upper leaf surfacesopposite the spots (uredinia) on the lower surfaces. In late summer and fall, the smallpustules turn black (telia) and contain the winter spore stages of the rust. Stemsoccasionally are infected.

Biology and epidemiology. Many species of these autoecious fungi (fungi thatcomplete their life cycle on one plant host) are found throughout the world. Theyoverwinter on diseased leaves and stems. Wind blows spores to healthy foliage.They germinate and infect through the stomata when leaves are wet for 2–4 h. Mild,humid weather favors disease development.

Fig. 8 Note the two different rust pustules on this leaf, orange uredia and black telia (Photocourtesy of Jay W. Pscheidt)

Diseases of Rose 17

Management• Cultural practices – Rake up all dead leaves and prune out infected and dead

wood during the dormant season. Plant resistant cultivars. Removing infectedleaves early in the season may be effective in some small plantings.

• Fungicides – Focus applications during wet weather. Wetting agents will helpwith many of fungicides if allowed by the label. Many fungicides used for blackspot will be helpful to control rust.

2.16 Spot Anthracnose (Elsinoe rosarum Jenk. & Bitanc. 1957)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Temperate regions. Repeated defoliationleads to low vigor, inferior blooms, and high susceptibility to winter injury.

Symptoms/signs. At first, the appearance of red spots that vary from brown ordark purple on the upper leaf surfaces occurs (Bagsic et al. 2015). Spots up to 0.5 cmin diameter may be scattered or grouped and sometimes overlapping. Chlorosis oryellowing of the leaves may also occur. Later, spots become ashen white with a darkred margin. This tissue may fall off of the lower leaf surface, leaving a thin paperymembrane or fall out entirely resulting in a shothole symptom. Symptoms occur onstems, hips, and pedicels as well as leaves. Can be easily confused with black spot orCercospora leaf spot.

Biology and epidemiology. The fungus overwinters on infected leaves and stemswith conidia continuously being formed in early spring and through the summer.Spore dispersal primarily occurs with the aid of water through rain and irrigation.There were 5 races of the fungus identified in Germany (Bagsic et al. 2015).

Management• Cultural practices – Remove and destroy infected plant parts. Space or prune

bushes to allow for good airflow.• Fungicides – No specific chemical control has been reported. Fungicides in the

FRAC group 3 used to control black spot, powdery mildew, or rust are also beingused by growers to control this disease (Bagsic et al. 2015).

2.17 Verticillium Wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb. 1913)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Worldwide.Symptoms. At first, leaves near the growing point of young canes wilt, and lower

leaves yellow (Hammett 1971). Sometimes mature leaves become necrotic betweenveins while the veins remain green. Defoliation progresses from the base of canes tothe tip. Permanent wilt, defoliation, and death also may occur. If only a few canes areinfected, they may grow normally next season or dieback. Symptoms generally aremore severe in the greenhouse than in the field. The characteristic vascular discol-oration in other plants is not evident in rose.

Biology and epidemiology. This fungus survives a long time in soil and caninfect a wide range of hosts. Rootstocks such as Rosa odorata and “Ragged Robin”

18 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

are susceptible; R. multiflora and “Dr. Huey” have more resistance. R. chinensis var.manetti is very resistant. Under favorable growing conditions, plants may be able totolerate infection.

The fungus grows into the xylem where it colonizes the plant through mycelialgrowth and conidial production. Fluid movement in the xylem passively transportsthe conidia. Once in the xylem, this fungus partially blocks water movement andproduces toxins that result in wilt symptoms. Wilting occurs under periods of waterstress such as midsummer heat and drought.

After diseased plant parts die, microsclerotia form and live several years in soil.Many weeds are susceptible and can help the fungus survive and disperse.

Send soil samples to any of various private and public laboratories to assay forVerticillium propagules. Nurseries may wish to test individual core samples todetermine the distribution in a particular field. The presence of any microsclerotiain the soil should be interpreted as a potential disease risk.

Management• Cultural practices – Use resistant rootstocks. Avoid planting in old vegetable

fields. In the greenhouse, use steam-sterilized soil or use a sterile soilless pottingmix and/or hydroponics. Remove and destroy symptomatic or dead branchespreferably before leaves fall and thus before new inoculum gets incorporated intothe ground. Clean pruning equipment after use. Mulch with conifer-based prod-ucts as conifers are resistant to infection. General yard waste mulch could containinfected plants and thus inoculum of the fungus.

2.18 Miscellaneous Fungal and Oomycete Diseases of MinorImportance or Considered Rare

Alternaria leaf spot – Alternaria spp.Phytophthora root rot – Phytophthora spp. have been identified on rose sampleswith root rot from the PNW several times by the Oregon State University (OSU)Plant Disease Clinic. Also reported from Asia, Europe, and North America.Septoria leaf spot – Septoria rosae Desm. 1831.Southern blight – Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. 1911.Rhizoctonia root and stem rot – Rhizoctonia spp. – Japan.Note: Fungal names based on Farr and Rossman (2015).

3 Bacterial and Phytoplasma Diseases

3.1 Bacterial Cane Blight (Pseudomonas syringae – UndeterminedPathovar)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Treasure Valley of Idaho, USA (Mohan andBijman 2010).

Diseases of Rose 19

Symptoms/signs. The symptoms usually start at the base of a vegetative bud or atleaf scars or wounds, as reddish-brown areas on the bark that later turn dark purple toblack and necrotic (Fig. 9). The necrotic areas expand around and along the cane,often involving a major part or even the entire cane. Vegetative buds on the affectedparts of the cane turn brown and dried. The surface of the necrotic areas of the bark isglossy, and the tissue beneath the epidermis is brown to dark brown and moist in theearly stages. Often confused with winter injury.

Biology and epidemiology. This disease is different from the various symptomson roses previously attributed to P. syringae and/or P. syringae pv. morsprunorum(see below) in the literature. It has been an aggressive cane blight observed in theTreasure Valley of Idaho, USA, since 1996. Symptoms were common under cool,wet conditions in spring (March to May), and the level of incidence and severity ofthe disease varied from year to year. Several cultivars of climbing, floribunda,grandiflora, hybrid tea, hybrid perpetual, miniature, and shrub roses can show severesymptoms.

Management• Cultural practices – The following is suggested in the absence of specific

research to control this problem. Remove and destroy infected stems. Disinfectpruning shears before cutting more stems. Copper-based products are alsorecommended before fall rains begin and again when half the leaves have fallen.

3.2 Bacterial Leaf Spot and Blast (Pseudomonas syringaepv. morsprunorum )

Geographic occurrence and impact. Pacific Northwest of North America – rare.Symptoms. Dark brown, sunken spots appear on leaves, flower stalks, and calyx

parts. Flower buds may die without opening. Black streaks appear on 1-year-oldstems.

Fig. 9 Glossy, dark purple toblack, necrotic bark of caneswith bacterial cane blight(Photo courtesy of KrishnaMohan)

20 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

Biology and epidemiology. The disease has been diagnosed only four times inthe PNW from 1962 to 1992. Most common in cool, wet spring weather.

Management• Cultural practices – Remove and destroy infected stems. Disinfect pruning

shears before cutting more stems. Copper-based products are also recommendedbefore fall rains begin and again when half the leaves have fallen. Repeat in springto protect new growth.

3.3 Crown Gall (Agrobacterium radiobacter (Beijerinck and VanDelden 1902) Conn 1942 or Also Known as Rhizobiumradiobacter (Beijerinck and Van Delden 1902) Young et al.2001)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Worldwide and common.Symptoms. Galls are often at or just below the soil surface in the basal or root

crown region. They may frequently be on roots but less frequently on aerial plantparts such as stem and leaves. Galls are usually rounded with a rough, irregularsurface (Fig. 10). They first appear as small protuberances on the plant surface.Young, actively developing galls are light green or nearly white, and the tissue issoft. As they age, galls become dark and woody. Outer portions can slough off withage. Sometimes galls have a rather smooth surface, which makes it difficult todistinguish between gall and callus growth, especially if the gall is at the plant

Fig. 10 Galls can be seenabove, below ground, startingat pruning wounds or woundson leaves (Photo courtesy ofJay W. Pscheidt (left) andTatiana Gomez Rodriguez(center and right))

Diseases of Rose 21

base or at the graft or bud union. Plants can be stunted and have reduced vigor, poorfoliage, and fewer blossoms. A single gall at the plant’s base may be more detri-mental than several galls on canes and roots. Symptoms may not develop for over ayear if infection occurs when temperatures are below 15 �C (59 �F).

Biology and epidemiology. The bacterium enters plants through wounds, eithernatural or caused by pruning, grafting, mechanical injury from cultivation, heavingof frozen soils, chewing insects, or the emergence of lateral roots. Systemicpopulations that initiate disease do not seem to be as important in rose as they arein grape and walnut. After the bacterium enters a wound, a small piece of its DNA istransferred into the plant’s DNA. The foreign DNA transforms normal plant cells inthe wounded area into tumor cells. Once transformed, tumor cells proliferate auto-matically. The result is a gall: a disorganized mass of hyperplastic and hypertrophictissue.

Pruning tools that cut through galls can become contaminated with the bacteriaand spread them to cut surfaces of subsequently pruned plants. Galls breaking downin soil release bacteria, which can be transported by moving soil or water. In theabsence of plant roots, bacterial populations gradually decrease; however, thepathogen may survive in soil for as long as 3 years.

Management• Cultural practices – Use only pathogen-free nursery stock. Inspect new plants;

do not plant any rose that has galls. Avoid wounding plants, especially at planting.If root pruning at planting, soak in the biocontrol agent listed below. Use plantswith resistant rootstocks. Rootstocks differ widely in susceptibility. Prune off anygalls on aerial parts of the plant. Disinfect pruning shears frequently. Clean shearsand long soak times improve the disinfectant’s efficacy. Remove and destroybadly affected plants.

Preplant soil solarization has been effective against this disease for cherrynursery stock grown in Western Oregon and may be useful for roses. Place clearplastic (anti-condensation coating) on rototilled ground, irrigated to near fieldcapacity, from mid-July to mid-September. Solarization is more effective onsandy loam soil. The technique may help after removing diseased plants from abed in which roses will be planted again.

• Biological control – Agrobacterium radiobacter strain 84 has been used suc-cessfully with roses in Australia, New Zealand, and Spain but has not beeneffective in limited trials in the USA. Strain K 84 is preventive only.Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K1026 is a genetically modified strain of K84that will help reduce the potential for development of resistant crown gallbacteria. Latent infections (symptomless) and existing galls are not controlled.A suspension of strain 84 may be used as a soak or spray. Thoroughly covergrafting wood, roots, and crown. Spray to runoff. To be effective, it must beapplied a few hours after wounding.

22 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

3.4 Miscellaneous Bacterial Diseases of Minor Importance orConsidered Rare

Hairy root – Agrobacterium rhizogenes (Riker et al. 1930) Conn 1942

4 Viral Diseases

4.1 Rose Leaf Curl (A Virus Is Suspected)

Geographic occurrence and impact. California.Symptoms/signs. Spring leaves are small, leaflets detach easily, leaf epinasty,

necrosis of shoot tips, and yellow vein flecking occur. Shoots are pointed with abroad base. Plants may recover in summer but show symptoms again in fall.

Biology and epidemiology. Little is known about this disease other than naturalspread appears to be slow.

Management• Cultural practices – Purchase stock that is clean and/or certified as tested and

free of all known viruses. Remove and destroy infected plants. Heat-treat scionstock plants 4 weeks at 38 �C (100 �F) before grafting.

4.2 Rose Mosaic [Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), Applemosaic virus (ApMV), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV),and Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV)]

Geographic occurrence and impact. Worldwide.Symptoms/signs. Symptoms may range widely depending on time of year,

temperature, and type of virus(es) infecting the plant. Characteristic symptomsinclude chlorotic line patterns (zigzag pattern), ringspots, and mottles in leavessometime in the growing season (Fig. 11). There may also be yellow net and yellowmosaic symptoms. Symptoms often are evident in spring and early summer but may notbe on leaves produced in summer. Vein banding may be on leaves in long hot periods.Flower distortion, reduction in flower production, flower size, stem caliper at the graftunion, winter survival, and early leaf drop and increase susceptibility to cold injury haveall been reported. Some infected cultivars may not show any symptoms at all.

Biology and epidemiology. Several viruses are associated with the range ofsymptoms of rose mosaic, including Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV),Apple mosaic virus (ApMV), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), and Strawberry latentringspot virus (SLRSV). The disease does not spread naturally and has no knowninsect vector, but grafting transfers it to healthy plants. Transmission of ArMVand/orSLRSV could occur by Dagger nematodes, but this has not been extensively studied.Viruses can be in the rootstock or scion or both and may not show symptoms.

Diseases of Rose 23

“Madame Butterfly,” “Ophelia,” and “Rapture” are highly susceptible. Some reportthe disease does not spread; others indicate it may spread very slowly over manyyears. Root grafting between infected and healthy plants can also spread the disease(Golino et al. 2011).

Management• Cultural practices – Purchase stock that is clean and/or certified as tested and

free of all known viruses. Remove and destroy infected plants. However, thedisease will not spread unless you propagate from or onto an infected bush. Heat-treat scion stock plants 4 weeks at 38 �C (100 �F) before grafting.

4.3 Rose Rosette (Rose Rosette Virus)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Widespread east of the Rocky Mountains ofNorth America. Plants decline and die after a few years.

Symptoms. Rose rosette symptoms are complex and variable as plants of thesame cultivar may have different symptoms at the same or different location(s).Infected plants may have foliage that is bright red throughout the summer rather thanjust in the spring and fall. Leaves may become unusually long and thin or strappedshaped. Increased thorniness and flattening of stems (fasciation) is often but notalways observed. Symptomatic foliage is often more susceptible to winter kill and/ordesiccation.

Multiple shoots can emerge from a single node to form a witches’ broom. Witches’brooms are easier to recognize in the winter months after most of the foliage has fallen.Unusually large masses of distorted flower buds may also occur that, in most cases, donot open. Infection can resemble herbicide (glyphosate) injury.

Infected bushes will decline and die in 3–5 years. Cane mortality is usuallyobserved in spring when symptomatic canes fail to push out new foliage. Largecommercial plantings or private rose gardens can be decimated by rose rosette if thedisease is left unchecked.

Fig. 11 Each of these leaves was from the same plant with rose mosaic (Photo courtesy of JayW. Pscheidt)

24 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

Biology and epidemiology. All cultivated roses (shrub type, hybrid tea, flori-bunda, grandiflora, and miniature roses) are thought to be susceptible to the disease.The Knock Out rose cultivars are as susceptible to rose rosette as other types.

The virus is vectored by an eriophyid mite, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus. Althoughthese mites do not fly, they may “balloon” in air currents, as do dust particles, andthus can be spread surprisingly long distances. The closer a healthy rose is plantedto an infected rose, the more likely it is to become infected. In Tennessee, rose bedslocated near a source of the virus have a pronounced edge effect where rosesnearest the source are more likely to become infected. Distribution of infectedplants in a large rose bed will appear random if the plants were infected prior toplanting or if there is a great distance between the rose planting and the inoculumsource.

Management• Cultural practices – Purchase stock that is clean and/or certified as tested and

free of all known viruses. Roses should be inspected for symptoms before beingpurchased. Purchase plants from a nursery where all roses appear to be healthy.Inspected regularly for symptoms and rogue entire plants soon as possible whenfound. Do not just prune off symptomatic stems. Rogued plants should be baggedon site before removal.

At this writing, preliminary studies have not demonstrated that miticides areeffective. Also, it is not known if disinfecting pruning shears will also aid indisease management.

Roses reported to be resistant include: R. setigera, R. aricularis, R. arkansana,R. blanda, R. palustris, R. carolina, and R. spinosissima.

4.4 Rose Spring Dwarf (Rose Spring Dwarf-Associated Virus)

Geographic occurrence and impact. California and Chile.Symptoms/signs. A rosetting or balling of new growth (Salem et al. 2008).

Leaves are curved, very short, and show vein clearing or a netted pattern. Leavesoccur on arrested shoots, which may not elongate for several months. Canes maygrow in a zigzag pattern during the growing season.

Biology and epidemiology. Easily transmitted through vegetative propagationtechniques. The virus has been found in aphids on affected plants but is not known ifthey are a vector of the disease or not (Rivera and Engel 2010).

Management• Cultural practices – Purchase stock that is clean and/or certified as tested and

free of all known viruses. Remove and destroy infected plants. Heat-treat scionstock plants 4 weeks at 38 �C (100 �F) before grafting.

Diseases of Rose 25

4.5 Rose Yellow Mosaic (Rose Yellow Mosaic Virus)

Geographic occurrence and impact. North America.Symptoms/signs. Symptoms associated with RoYMV infection include yellow

mosaic, ring mosaic, premature leaf senescence, and necrotic dark brown rings oncanes. Symptoms first appeared in new growth 4–6 weeks postinoculation. Necroticcane symptoms are observed only in the cultivar Ballerina. Symptoms persistthroughout the season (Lockhart et al. 2008).

Biology and epidemiology. Potyviruses such as RoYMVare known to be aphidtransmitted.

Management• Cultural practices – Purchase stock that is clean and/or certified as tested and

free of all known viruses. Remove and destroy infected plants.

4.6 Miscellaneous Viral or Virus-Like Diseases of MinorImportance or Considered Rare

Rose flower break – England, New Zealand, and Australia – unknown causalagentRose Streak – eastern and mid-North America and Europe – suspect Rose streakvirusThe following have only been associated with virus symptoms in rose and are notfully characterized; however, the four viruses commonly found in the rose mosaiccomplex were not present in plants infected with these viruses (Lockhart et al.2008):Rose yellow leaf virusRosa rugosa leaf distortion virusRosa multiflora cryptic virusRose chlorotic ringspot virusRose necrotic mosaic virus

5 Nematode Diseases (Meloidogyne hapla, PratylenchusPenetrans, P. Vulnus, and Xiphinema Diversicaudatum)

Geographic occurrence and impact. Worldwide. More of a problem on sandysoils.

Symptoms/signs. Specific diseases have not been linked with specific nema-todes; however, specific nematodes are associated with various root symptoms. Ingeneral, nematodes disrupt the root system, which will result in general abovegroundsymptoms that can include reduced vigor, poor growth or flowering, stunting,nutrient deficiencies, chlorosis, and/or wilting. These may be combined and consid-ered a general plant decline.

26 J.W. Pscheidt and T.G. Rodriguez

Root swellings or galls occur from the feeding activity of root-knot nematodes(Meloidogyne hapla) or dagger nematodes (Xiphinema spp.). Dagger nematode formgalls on the tips of feeder roots. Root-knot nematodes tend to form galls on smallerroots and, with magnification, the swollen females can also be seen. Excessive rootbranching may also be observed on root systems with root knot.

Small root lesions that become necrotic can be observed with an infestation ofRoot-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.). The severity of the symptoms willdepend on the soil type and ability of the rose to tolerate various sized populationsof root-lesion nematodes.

Biology and epidemiology. Nematodes that affect plant growth are classified byfeeding behavior. Depending on the nematode, this will dictate what type of samplesis needed for diagnosis: roots, soil, or both.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are sedentary endoparasites, whichtunnel into the roots, establishing permanent feeding sites from which they do notmove. The feeding site causes the formation of giant cells, hyperplasia of corticaland vascular parenchyma, and retardation of meristematic activity in root tips(Fig. 12).

Root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are migratory endoparasites thattunnel inside roots, feed inside roots, and freely move back into soil and on to newroots (Fig. 13).

Fig. 12 Adult Meloidogyne sp. and egg mass (Photo courtesy of Tatiana Gomez Rodriguez)

Fig. 13 Adult Pratylenchus sp. and Xiphinema sp. (Photo courtesy of Tatiana Gomez Rodriguez)

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Dagger nematodes (Xiphinema spp.) are migratory ectoparasites feed from out-side roots, moving from cell to cell and piercing them to feed without entering roottissue. The galls that are produced at this feeding site are caused by a hyperplasticresponse of cortical cells. The cells increase two to three times in size and meriste-matic activity is retarded. Although barely studied in rose, these nematodes can bevectors for some of the viruses in the rose mosaic complex such as Arabis mosaicvirus (ArMV) (Fig. 13).

Soil types that are more sandy generally result in more nematode injury at lowerpopulation levels than less porous soils. Host ranges are wide for many of thesenematodes making crop rotation impractical.

Management• Cultural practices – Avoidance in floral production is accomplished by elimi-

nating soil from the production system with soilless media and/or hydroponics. Ifsoil must be used then steam treatment is necessary to eradicated nematodes fromthe soil. Although difficult, soil in planting beds can also be steam treated. Soilsolarization is useful to reduce populations in the top foot of soil in order to getplants establish in infested soil. Thermal therapy after infestation of plants is alsodifficult but possible. Pretreat plants at 38 C for 24 h followed by immersingplants into hot water at 48 C for 35 min. Damage to rose roots with this treatmentis possible. Use of resistant rootstocks is complicated by diverse reactions todifferent nematodes from or in different locations.

• Chemical practices – Preplant fumigation can be effective in the field, butavailable (registered) nematicides are becoming limited each year.

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