By Clint Thompson
Disease buildup is starting to concern Georgia’s strawberry growers; one disease in particular.
Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, discussed Neopestalotiopsis and its impact already amid the current growing season.
“We are starting to see some (diseases) here and there. The one that’s coming up again is this Neopestalotiopsis, but so far that’s been it, as far as samples and people being concerned about disease,” Brannen said.
“I’m hoping that if producers keep a good fungicide program in place and spray as we have suggested, with the fungicides we have suggested for it, that we can maintain a crop. I think going through the winter, things will slow down a little bit. The disease should slow down, and of course, plant growth should slow down as well.
“But coming out on the other side in the spring, if we have a lot of rainfall, I am concerned that any area where they had the disease already showing up, they’re probably going to have more of it. I think it remains to be seen.”
Winter Weather
One factor that may help producers is the looming La Niña weather pattern. It’s expected to persist this winter, meaning conditions are expected to be warmer and drier than normal. That will help strawberry producers.
“The drier it is for the strawberry growers the better. It’s unfortunate, but if they have to put out every bit of water they have through drip tape, that would be the best thing for production of strawberries and not having disease,” Brannen said.
Brannen cautioned growers in August about the high potential risk for Neopestalotiopsis with plants originating from Prince Edward Island. Nurseries were canceling orders or advising plug plant producers to take plants at their own risk.
Neopestalotiopsis causes leaf spots on strawberry plants. It develops quickly and produces spores on the leaves. It can cause severe leaf spotting and fruit rot under favorable weather conditions. The disease was first discovered during the 2018-19 season in five farms and was attributed to one nursery source in North Carolina.
More than 20 farms experienced the disease during the 2019-20 season. It was attributed to two nursery sources early in the season in North Carolina and Canada.