Systems-based management for soilborne diseases of strawberry

Authors: Henry, Peter; BOLDA, MARK - University Of California; RAMOS, MIGUEL - Non ARS Employee

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/3/2020
Publication Date: 2/5/2020
Citation: Henry, P.M., Bolda, M.P., Ramos, M. 2020. Systems-based management for soilborne diseases of strawberry. Annual Strawberry Production Research Meeting, February 5, 2020, Watsonville, California.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soilborne disease management in strawberry once relied on a single, effective strategy: fumigation with a combination of methyl bromide and chloropicrin. Methyl bromide is no longer available for use in fruit production fields, and fumigation with chloropicrin alone does not provide an equivalent level of control. Successful soilborne disease management now requires a “systems”-based approach, reliant upon multiple, complementary strategies. Here, I outline current knowledge of factors that influence disease severity for the lethal, soilborne pathogens of strawberry: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Verticillium dahliae. Examples of systems-based approaches for control of these pathogens are provided. Notably, I describe a novel production practice which combines crop termination, conservation tillage, and the use of a Fusarium-resistant cultivar to substantially decrease pre-plant costs with the potential for equivalent yields. In contrast with dire predictions for the strawberry industry, I show that economic sustainability can continue through innovative production practices that include a systems-level approach to soilborne disease management.