By Clint Thompson
Strawberry plantings have been mostly completed across the Southeast. Growers have observed Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) disease in some of their plants. It serves as a reminder for producers as to what action needs to be taken when the disease is seen, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist.
“We have seen some Neo coming in from some of the nurseries this year where they’ve had it previously. It’s nothing new,” Brannen said. “Again, the same thing applies, if you’re getting in plants from a nursery that has had it in the past, you really need to be inspecting your plants closely and looking at the plants closely.
“I think a lot of the area we’re in is pretty dry right now again, so that’s helpful. When you start getting some rain, it may come out if you do have it. I’d be scouting.”
Super El Niño
A super El Niño is predicted this winter, meaning cooler and wetter conditions are in the forecast for the Southeast. That increases the likelihood that producers will see Neopestalotiopsis flare up during the growing season.
“That’s been a fear of mine. I mean, thus far, we’ve been substantially dry. We had the hurricane (Isaias) to come through, but overall, it’s been relatively drier this fall so far. But I think if that kicks in based on prediction, the answer is yes,” Brannen said. “I mean, it could really be a bad year for you.
“It’s just going to be a lot of rainfall and a lot of wet. It’s likely to develop now. There are questions about whether or not it’s going to develop as well in the wintertime, but if that continues into the spring and you have a lot of moisture and you have the pathogen, especially if you brought it in, then I think it’s likely to be a problem.”