By Clint Thompson Botrytis gray mold is an annual disease of strawberry producers. It may continue to worsen the more resistant it becomes to certain fungicides. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, said he and other colleagues have examined strawberry fields for more than a year. In about …
Starting in Strawberries? Input Expenses Costly but Reward is Potentially Great
By Clint Thompson Strawberries have the potential to be a lucrative commodity for interested specialty crop producers. But they can also be extremely expensive to grow. Farmers need to understand the investment before diving head first into the industry next season, says Jessie Rowan, Alabama regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and farm and agribusiness management. “To me, …
Overuse of Specific Pesticides Reason for Chilli Thrips Problem in Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Overuse of specific pesticides led to chilli thrips being more of a problem for Florida strawberry producers this season. Sriyanka Lahiri, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, said pesticides should be used in rotation. “You have four products. All of …
Integrated Pest Management of Chilli Thrips in Strawberries
By Sriyanka Lahiri Currently, strawberry production in Florida is particularly susceptible to infestation by chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis). Although chilli thrips had been reported as a pest of ornamentals in Florida before, it wasn’t until 2015 when strawberry fields started to be severely impacted by this invasive pest. CHEMICAL CONTROLSChemical control is the predominant tool to manage chilli thrips. However, …
Phytophthora Root Rot a Problem in Georgia Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Georgia strawberry producers may not have had to deal with much of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot this year, but phytophthora root rot is a different story. “Right now, this year, I’ve seen quite a few samples with phytophthora come in, unfortunately,” said University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen. Brannen discussed some of the possibilities …
Cool October Impacts Development of South Carolina Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Cooler fall temperatures in South Carolina have delayed the development of some of the state’s strawberry crop. It is evident in most of the crop, says Bruce McLean, Clemson Extension Area Commercial Horticulture Agent in the Pee Dee Region. “The strawberry crop, for the most part, is looking behind from where it should be. There’s a lot …
UF Research: Environmentally Friendly Way to Control Pest in Strawberries
BALM, Fla. — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have discovered a more environmentally-friendly way to control the chilli thrips in strawberries. It includes using less pesticides. With a new, biological control method, farmers could save up to 5,000 gallons a year in pesticides that would be used on the crop, said Sriyanka Lahiri, a …
Current Temps Favoring South Florida Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Cooler fall temperatures are a sight for sore eyes for South Florida strawberry producers. Hopefully, it’ll lead to increased yields and enhanced fruit quality, says Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “Moderated temperatures in the fall, at least in recent years, have been hard to come by. It’s …
Organic Corner: Managing Mites and Thrips in Strawberries
By Sriyanka Lahiri The development of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach for the various arthropod pests of organic strawberries is underway at the University of Florida’s Strawberry and Small Fruit Crops Entomology Lab. The primary arthropod pests needing management include chilli thrips, western flower thrips, two-spotted spider mite and cyclamen mite. Strawberry fruit yield losses due to feeding damage …
Spotlight: Setting Strawberries up for Success
By Jeff Cook Growing quality plasticulture strawberries begins with an understanding of your soil and proper fertilization of the crop. Start with a Soil Sample A soil sample should be taken a minimum of two months prior to fumigation and bed formation. This is critical to be sure you have enough time to adjust the pH up to between 6.0 …