Blueberry supplies are in danger from a form of mildew that is spreading around the world, according to North Carolina (NC) State University.
Published in the journal New Phytologist and funded by the US National Science Foundation, the university team’s mapping of a fungus, which taints the berries with a powdery mildew, showed it originating in the east of the US before being carried on nursery plants to “multiple continents” over the past 12 years.
In a warning that could cause dismay among people fond of the berries in their muffins, milkshakes and pies, the researchers described the fungus as “an emerging global threat to blueberry production” and urged “continuous monitoring” to preempt further spread.
“We’re watching this global spread happen right now, in real time,” said Michael Bradshaw, assistant professor of plant pathology at NC State.
“This is a hard organism to control,” Bradshaw continued, warning that “if you’re sending plant material across the world, you’re likely spreading this fungus with it.”
While it does not kill the berries, the fungus not only coats them in an unappetising powder but drains them of nutrients and retards their photosynthesis.
“Different species of this fungus affect different plants; wheat, hops, grapes and strawberries, among other plants, have been detrimentally affected by powdery mildew,” the researchers said.
Curbing the fungus means spraying the berries with fungicide, which arguably not only makes them less appealing to consumers, but costs farmers around the world up to $530 million a year.
Researchers believe global blueberry supplies are in danger from a form of mildew that is spreading around the world. Stefan Sauer/dpa