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Shock
 Blueberry shock ilarvirus
Annemiek Schilder, MSU Plant Pathology
Bill Cline, NCSU Plant Pathology
Blueberry shock occurs only in western North America.

Symptoms
Symptoms are very similar to those of scorch – sudden, complete flower and leaf necrosis during bloom. However, unlike scorch, a second flush of foliage occurs and the plants appear quite normal later in the season except for the lack of fruit. Infected bushes often exhibit symptoms for 1 to 4 years and then become symptomless. Eventually the bushes recover and a good crop is possible in well-managed fields.
Bush with necrotic leaves.  
Disease cycle
The virus is dispersed by infected pollen carried by bees. The disease spreads rapidly in a radial pattern from the infection focus.
Sudden leaf necrosis.

Infection occurs only during bloom. Symptomless infected plants remain a source of infection.

Management
Plant virus-tested clean planting stock; do not establish new plantings adjacent to infected fields; do not use planting stock from a field that is in remission; remove and destroy infected bushes before bloom.
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Last Updated - 6/22/07