Abstract

The effects on growth and yield of cv. Lloyd George raspberry plants graft-inoculated with black raspberry necrosis virus (BRNV), raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV) and BRNV + RBDV were studied in a pot experiment. Each virus impaired some of the growth parameters measured but the effects were usually greatest in doubly-infected plants. Such plants were stunted and produced fewer and shorter canes than virus-free controls, these symptoms resembling those described for RBDV disease in this cv. Infection with either or both viruses delayed ripening, decreased the mean berry weight and adversely affected fruit form and structure, but total fruit yield was not significantly affected.