Author
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Maas, John |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 8/3/1999 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Black root rot disease has plagued strawberry growers for at least a century in nearly all strawberry growing areas of the world. Black root rot is not a single disease, but a descriptive term for symptoms associated with a number of possible causes; nematodes, fungi, cold or winter injury, herbicides, soil compaction, poor drainage, planting age, monoculture, and even fumigation. Field symptoms include dwarfing or stunting of plants, shortened petioles, and small leaves, giving plants a flattened appearance that contrasts from the normal appearance of tall, bushy healthy plants. Affected plants often occur in patches, giving an uneven aspect to the planting. Affected plants often wilt at fruiting time and/or in dry weather when plants are under the greatest stress. When dug, primary roots may have small to large black cankers that involve entire roots in advanced stages of the disorder. Only the outer black root cortex is infected; it may be pulled away, leaving only the white stele present. There is a noticeable lack of secondary and feeder roots. These symptoms contrast with light winter injury to the crown with no root death, Verticillium wilt, red stele root rot, and anthracnose crown rot. This review highlights major areas of research to give strawberry growers and extension personnel a perspective on where we are now, how we got there, and where we may expect to be going in the future with black root rot. |
