Michael Bradshaw, assistant professor at North Carolina State, noted: 'This is a hard organism to control. If you're sending plant material across the world, you're likely spreading this fungus with it.' This highlights the challenges of managing the pathogen as globalization enhances the risk of transmission.
The study estimates that the global blueberry industry incurs costs between $47 million and $530 million annually due to the impact of powdery mildew. This significant economic burden affects over four billion pounds of blueberries sold worldwide each year.
The research found that the fungus reproduces solely asexually outside the US, yet within the US, it can reproduce both sexually and asexually. This reproductive versatility complicates containment efforts and reinforces the need for more effective management strategies.
While the disease has primarily affected the eastern US and minor outbreaks in southern California, the rainy climate of the Pacific Northwest poses a heightened risk. This region could become vulnerable to infection, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preventive measures.
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