2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Rose rosette disease (RRD) was first reported in the United States in 1940. Since then, the disease has become widespread east of the Rocky Mountains particularly with the advent of free-blooming cultivars that landscapers utilize in virtually every project. Even though the causal agent was identified in 2011 and a better understanding now exists of the eriophyid mite that transmits the rose rosette virus, RRD is still rampant and thus responsible for thousands of dollars in losses to producers, landscapers and ultimately, end consumers. The disease is readily spread through movement of the mite by crawling, wind, or through human-induced physical movement of the mite. Consequently, rose trials were initiated at Oklahoma State University and Kansas State University in 2016. Researchers have since found commercially available rose cultivars that possess RRD resistance. These selections will be presented to rose breeders for consideration in future breeding programs. In addition to cultivar trials, best management practices are being studied in order to slow progression of this disease.