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 …
Ready for Strawberries: UF/IFAS Offers Tips on Producing Crop for Homeowners
Florida may be known as the winter strawberry capital of the world, but the time is now to plant strawberries. Fall means the air is soon going to get a little drier and maybe a little cooler in much of Florida. The temperature should be between 50 degrees and 80 degrees for best strawberry growth. Vance Whitaker, a strawberry breeder …
Alabama Extension Provides Tips for Controlling Pestalotia in Strawberries
Alabama Extension provides tips to strawberry growers looking to protect their crops this year against Pestalotia, a leaf spot and fruit rot disease caused by the fungus Neopestalotiopsis. The disease that has recently wreaked havoc on strawberry producers in Florida and Georgia is a threat to Alabama strawberries. It affects the plant roots, crown, leaves and fruit and eventually leads …
Key Strategies to Slow Down Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot in Strawberries
By Clint Thompson The dawn of another strawberry season brings added concern of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease. The disease that has devastated the state’s strawberry crop since the 2018-19 season is the top concern for producers heading into the season. What can be done to manage the disease, which can cause leaf spots on strawberry plants? Natalia Peres, a Professor …
Be on Alert: Gray Mold in Strawberries Can be Devastating
One of the most common diseases of strawberries has already been observed this year in Alabama. Gray mold, also known as Botrytis blight or Botrytis fruit rot, can devastate a crop and cause millions in lost revenue if not managed, according to Alabama Extension. No part of the strawberry plant is immune from the disease. Gray mold can affect the …
Taste Test: UF Scientists Use AI to Develop Better Tasting Strawberries
Source: UF/IFAS A $300 million-a-year industry in Florida may soon depend on artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its flavor. Research at the University of Florida (UF) shows AI can help scientists breed more flavor into strawberries. While consumer panels are the method for UF researchers to gauge whether new fruit varieties taste good enough for development into market, in …