If infected plants are not removed early in the spring, they become more difficult to identify later in the growing season. Early spring is also a good time to inspect for virus diseases. Symptom expression of many viruses is more obvious during cool growing conditions. The higher temperatures of mid-to late summer often mask virus symptoms making infected plants difficult, if not impossible, to detect. Infection Any practice that minimizes unnecessary physical damage to the plant is beneficial to the disease management program.
Many plant pathogens take advantage of wounds in order to penetrate and infect the plant.
Cane blight and bacterial crown gall are two important pathogens of brambles that enter the plant almost exclusively through wounds. The use of sharp pruning tools will help minimize damage to canes during pruning operations. Most plant pathogens require water on the surface of plant tissues before they can penetrate the plant. Providing proper cane support through trellising or otherwise tying the canes will aid greatly in avoiding abrasions from sharp spines and wind whipping of plants during windy conditions. Proper spacing between rows and the use of the proper size equipment will also prevent plant damage.