Rotting Base of Strawberry due to Red Stele Infection
Managing Red Stele Fungus in Strawberry Production
Strawberry growers in the northern United States face a common challenge: the red stele fungus (Phytophthora fragariae), which causes root and crown rot in strawberries. To effectively control this pathogen, cultural practices and preventing soil-borne infection are key.
Ensuring Good Soil Drainage
Red stele thrives in wet, poorly drained soils. Proper drainage is essential in reducing conditions favorable to the pathogen. By ensuring good soil drainage, growers can significantly reduce the risk of red stele infections.
Avoiding Infected Soil
Avoiding planting strawberries in infected or natural soil where the fungus may persist is another crucial step. Using soilless media or raised beds can help prevent disease establishment.
Using Disease-Resistant Varieties
Using disease-resistant strawberry varieties, if available, adapted to your region, is a proactive measure against red stele. Some June-bearing varieties resistant to Red Stele include Allstar, Delite, Earliglow, Guardian, Lester, Midway, Redchief, Scott, Sparkle, Sunrise, and Surecrop. Everbearing varieties are also reported to be resistant.
Crop Rotation and Field Sanitation
Rotating crops and avoiding planting strawberries in the same soil repeatedly can help reduce the buildup of the pathogen. Implementing good sanitation and field hygiene by removing infected plant debris and avoiding movement of contaminated soil are also important steps in managing red stele.
Chemical Controls
In some cases, chemical treatments such as fungicide applications may be recommended, but these are generally supplementary to cultural controls and should be based on local extension guidelines. No specific chemical control details were found in the search results, but best management emphasizes drainage and avoiding infested soil for managing red stele in northern U.S. strawberry production.
Field Selection and Planting
Planting strawberries on beds raised at least 10 inches high can reduce the severity of red stele root rot. Only resistant varieties should be planted in fields where red stele has caused losses within the last five to 10 years.
Stay Updated
New varieties are constantly being developed and released; check with your nursery or local Extension educator for updated resistance information. For the most current spray recommendations, commercial growers can refer to Bulletin 506, Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide, and backyard growers can refer to Bulletin 780, Controlling Diseases and Insects in Home Fruit Plantings.
Historical Context
This fact sheet was originally published in 2008. The red stele fungus causes dark rot and red stele symptoms in strawberry roots. By following these effective control measures, growers can significantly reduce the impact of red stele on their strawberry crops.
Pest management for the red stele fungus in strawberry production involves taking scientific measures, such as ensuring good soil drainage, avoiding infected soil, using disease-resistant strawberry varieties, practicing crop rotation, implementing field sanitation, and using raised beds. In some instances, medical-conditions like dark rot and red stele symptoms can be mitigated through chemical controls, but these ought to be based on local extension guidelines and serve as supplementary to cultural controls. Furthermore, health-and-wellness of strawberry crops can be maintained by staying updated on new resistant varieties and the most current spray recommendations.
