Figure 1. A grower field affected by Macrophomina crown rot. About the plant disease diagnostic service Soil-borne pathogens such as Macrophomina phaseolina are challenging strawberry production as they become increasingly prevalent across California (Fig. 1). Accurate disease diagnosis is the cornerstone of integrated pest management. The Strawberry Center's disease diagnostic service has been serving California … Continue reading Cal Poly Strawberry Center Disease Diagnostic Service

Do you know how to diagnose root-knot nematode in strawberry? We recently came across a rare occurrence of root-knot nematodes in two samples submitted to the Strawberry Center's Disease Diagnostic service. The samples were both from the Santa Maria district and were both positive for root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). The species most commonly associated with … Continue reading Root-Knot Nematode in Strawberry

Here's an update on the Cal Poly Strawberry Center’s Disease Diagnostics. A total of 16 samples have been submitted so far of which 11 have been diagnosed with the pathogens in (see Table below). Relative to this time last year we are seeing more samples positive for Phytophthora spp. and Pythium spp. These two soil-borne … Continue reading Disease diagnostic lab updates