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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #417375
Research Project: Disease Management and Improved Detection Systems for Control of Pathogens of Vegetables and Strawberries

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Title: Management of soilborne diseases in organic strawberry production

Author
item BROOME, JANET - University Of California
item Henry, Peter
item MURAMOTO, JOJI - University Of California Agriculture And Natural Resources (UCANR)
item Leblanc, Nicholas
item KOIKE, STEVE - Trical Inc

Submitted to: Organic Strawberry Production Manual
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/5/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Soilborne plant diseases caused by plant pathogens are a major problem in organic strawberry production across the United States. The common pathogens in California are fungi or fungal like organisms that live in soil. Because it is difficult to remove these pathogens from soil, strawberry growers need to use different tools to limit the negative effects of disease. One option is to grow strawberry plants that have genetic resistance to specific pathogens. Growers can also change the soil to reduce disease by adding organic substrates, pasteurizing soil with steam, or rotating strawberries with other crops.

Technical Abstract: Soilborne diseases are a significant constraint on organic strawberry production in the United States. In California, there are four primary soilborne pathogens that cause disease on strawberry, Verticillium dahliae, Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Phytophthora spp. Proper identification of which pathogen is causing disease in a field is needed to inform appropriate disease management strategies. Multiple disease management strategies are available to organic strawberry growers in California. Strawberry cultivars that have varying levels of resistance to specific soilborne pathogens can be planted. The soil environment can also be altered to reduce disease pressure through solarization, steaming, anaerobic soil disinfestation, application of organic amendments, and crop rotation. Ultimately, organic strawberry growers are encouraged to integrate multiple disease management strategies to reduce the negative impacts of soilborne diseases.