Leaf Spot Diseases of Strawberry

Hands holding harvested strawberries. Photo taken 02-05-20. Photo Credits: UF/IFAS Photo by Cristina Carriz

Several different fungi and one bacterium cause leaf spot diseases of Florida strawberry. Symptoms caused by these pathogens are often similar, leading to confusion and misdiagnosis of the disease. To facilitate diagnosis, the most common leaf spots diseases of strawberry in Florida are described in this new 6-page article, written by Juliana S. Baggio, James C. Mertely, and Natalia A. Peres, and published by the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp359

Pestalotia Leaf Spot and Fruit Rot of Strawberry

Hands holding harvested strawberries. UF/IFAS Photo by Cristina Carriz

Pestalotiopsis-like fungi cause diseases on many different species of plants worldwide, including strawberry. The pathogen is not necessarily new to strawberry and was first reported causing fruit rot in Florida and Israel in the 1970s. However, during the 2018–19 and 2019–20 strawberry seasons, severe and unprecedented outbreaks were reported in Florida, characterized by symptoms on nearly all plant parts including roots, crowns, petioles, fruit, and leaves. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department describes the disease and its causal agent and briefly covers what is known about disease development and control practices. This document will provide valuable information to strawberry nursery and fruit production growers. Written by Juliana S. Baggio and Natalia A. Peres.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp357

Common Strawberry Diseases in Florida

Freshly harvested strawberries. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones

This new two-page publication of the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department describes symptoms of most common strawberry diseases in Florida and summarizes the efficacy of fungicides labeled for management of such diseases. Written by Michelle S. Oliveira and Natalia A. Peres.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp354

Phytophthora Crown Rot of Strawberry

Freshly harvested strawberries

This new 3-page article describes Phytophthora crown rot, an important disease in Florida strawberry fields caused mainly by Phytophthora cactorum, and provides some recommendations for cultural and chemical control. Written by Natalia A. Peres and Juliana S. Baggio and published by the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp350

The UF/IFAS Strawberry Clean Plant Program

A verification trial at UF/IFAS GCREC

Florida strawberry growers primarily utilize cultivars developed by the UF/IFAS Strawberry Breeding Program. These cultivars are bred to provide the yield and quality traits needed by the Florida industry. Yet if a new cultivar has the traits that Florida growers need but pathogen-tested planting stock is not available to growers, the cultivar’s impact will be limited. The Clean Plant Program generates the pathogen-tested planting stock that nurseries and growers require. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, written by Catalina Moyer, Natalia A. Peres, and Vance M. Whitaker, is intended to educate both the industry and the public on the importance of the Clean Plant Program and the methods used to produce planting stock of new cultivars.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1343

Florida Brilliance Strawberry

‘Florida Brilliance’ is a new short-day strawberry cultivar released by the University of Florida and commercialized in 2018. This 4-page document describes important attributes of this cultivar and makes management recommendations for growers. Written by Vance Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, and Shinsuke Agehara and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, October 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1322

 

Charcoal Rot of Strawberries Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina

Charcoal rot is caused by Macrophomina phaseolina and has become more prevalent in Florida strawberry fields since methyl bromide was phased out. This 4-page publication describes the symptoms, development, and control of charcoal rot in strawberry fields. Written by N. A. Peres, J. S. Baggio, and J. C. Mertely and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Plant Pathology, February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp161

Botrytis Fruit Rot or Gray Mold of Strawberry

Botrytis fruit rot (BFR), also known as gray mold, is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea and is one of the most important diseases of strawberry in Florida and worldwide. This 4-page document describes the symptoms and management of BFR among strawberry plants. Written by J. C. Mertely, M. S. Oliveira, and N. A. Peres and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Plant Pathology, February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp152

'Florida Beauty' Strawberry

‘Florida Beauty’ is a new strawberry cultivar released by the University of Florida and commercialized in 2017. This 4-page document describes the characteristics, performance, growth, and management of this cultivar. Written by Vance M. Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, and Shinsuke Agehara and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, November 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1307

Postbloom Fruit Drop (PFD) Identification and Management

Diseased petals are dark brown to orange and dry first in the affected areas.
This two-sided ID card is idea for growers working in the field trying to identify or manage postbloom fruit drop (PFD) in citrus. The ID card includes photos of blooms affected by PFD and photos of healthy blooms for comparison. The card also includes facts and tips for managing PFD. Written by Megan M. Dewdney, Natalia A. Peres, and Jamie D. Burrow, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, July 2015.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp318

RFSR007/SR007 Sample Submission Guide for Plant Diagnostic Clinics of the Florida Plant Diagnostic Network.

Revised! RF-SR007, an 8-page guide by A.J. Palmateer, C.M. Stiles, P.D. Roberts, R.E. Cullen, H. Dankers, R.J. McGovern, N. Peres, P.F. Harmon, and C.L. Harmon, provides extension clientele with the information they need to submit plant samples to Florida Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinics. Published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, May 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SR007