By Clint Thompson
Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) disease in strawberries has garnered much of the headlines in recent years for Southeast producers. But other diseases can still leave a mark on production if growers are not careful.
One, in particular, is a huge concern, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist.
“Phytophthora is still a problem. Not everything that kills the plant is Neopestalotiopsis. Be aware of that, and make sure you’re looking and trying to figure out the right chemical to apply,” Brannen said. “If you think you’ve got Neo and it is phytophthora and you’re applying the chemicals for Neo, you’re not hitting phytophthora. You’ve got to identify the right pathogen and get the right chemicals out. That’ll be a critical thing to look for right now in strawberries.”
Brannen said both diseases present very similar symptoms, and even with his trained eye and years of experience, it can be hard for him to differentiate between the two in the field. A closer look in a lab setting may be required.
“As far as the crown rot phase of Neopestalotiopsis, if I cut through the crown of a strawberry plant, I think it would be very difficult for me, if not impossible, for me to tell you whether it’s Neo crown rot or it’s actually phytophthora crown rot,” Brannen said. “That’s when you need to send off a sample to a county agent’s office or a diagnostic clinic and let somebody help you figure it out.”
Brannen said phytophthora root rot causes the strawberry plant to collapse. It destroys the root system, and the plant will actually collapse in the field.