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 …
Clemson Extension Offers Tips for Tissue Sampling in Strawberries
According to The South Carolina Grower, it is important for strawberry producers to tissue sample their crop now. This ensures an adequate supply of nutrients are available for the crop, which maximizes yield and quality of the fruit. Justin Ballew, Clemson Commercial Horticulture Agent, said the best method in tissue sampling is randomly select plants. These should be selected across …
Florida Producer: It’s the Greening of Strawberries
Citrus Greening has devastated Florida’s citrus industry. The state’s strawberry producers are concerned about their future with Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease. It may still be in its infancy, but Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot is taking its toll on the Florida strawberry industry. One Florida producer is concerned about its impact moving forward. “I would call it the ‘Greening of strawberries,’” said …
Chill Out: New UF/IFAS Study Shows Why Strawberries Must Keep (Their) Cool
It is strawberry season in Florida. Odds are any strawberries eaten right now taste oh-so-sweet. Those strawberries consumers see at the grocery store should be shipped and stocked at the right temperature, says a University of Florida (UF) scientist; should being the operative word. To ensure the fruit is at peak form, you’re not supposed to break what’s referred to …
Winter Weather Impact: Alabama Strawberries Progressing
Strawberries in north Alabama are progressing despite sporadic temperatures and high wind speeds. “Our cold weather hasn’t been like a constant. It’s been more of a, we’ll have three or four days, maybe seven or eight days of colder weather, and then we’re back up in the 50s and 60s,” said Eric Schavey, Alabama Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. …