Symptoms and Signs
Leaves infected with Cherry rasp leaf virus develop prominent leaflike growths (enations) on the underside, along the midrib. Affected leaves are distorted but remain green. The green color distinguishes rasp leaf from the rugose mosaic strain of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus.
Symptoms begin on the lower part of the tree and move upward as the virus spreads. Because fewer leaf buds develop on infected wood, limbs become bare near the base of the tree) while leaves higher up develop rasp leaf symptoms. The disease may develop on cherry trees planted where diseased cherry trees have been removed. Shoots may be stunted, and cankers may develop on the trunk and scaffold limbs. Cherry rasp leaf virus is spread by dagger nematodes, Xiphinema americanum, and by budding and grafting. As with other nematode-vectored virus diseases, symptoms appear in localized areas of an orchard and tend to spread outward in a circular pattern.
Management
Techniques used to manage Tomato ringspot virus probably are effective against cherry rasp leaf. Colt rootstock appears to slow the development of symptoms in cherry scions.
If the tree is infected with Cherry rasp leaf virus, characteristic enations, which are distorted tissue growths, develop on the underside of leaves. Affected leaves have normal color, but are deformed and initially found on the lower parts of the tree.