The incidence of virus diseases in English sweet‐cherry orchards and their effect on yield

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Two thousand sweet‐cherry trees (Prunus avium) in English orchards were tested for virus infection by using Lambert and Mazzard F 12/1 as indicators. Most trees of varieties commonly grown before 1920 were infected with more than one virus, usually little cherry (69%) and necrotic ringspot/prune dwarf (56%). Other infection was less prevalent, 35% of these trees having European rusty mottle, 30% ring mottle and 3% necrotic rusty mottle. Most trees of varieties introduced since 1920 were virus‐free (61%) but some had become infected with each of these viruses except necrotic rusty mottle.In a field trial of 12 years duration the yield of three varieties was diminished by infection with necrotic ringspot/prune dwarf, rugose mosaic, rusty mottle, ring mottle and necrotic line pattern. The effect of rusty mottle was due to growth suppression resulting in smaller trees, but that of other viruses was also due to impaired fertility. The yield of one variety (Merton Heart) was greatly enhanced by infection with rugose mosaic, rusty mottle and necrotic ringspot/prune dwarf viruses.The high incidence of virus infection and consequent yield depression has probably diminished the potential yield by at least 30% and contributed to the decline in acreage of sweet cherries in England.

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