US: Strawberry fruit infection risk high in Southeast

Infection risk for Botrytis rot, commonly known as gray mold, is high this week in North Carolina per the Strawberry Fruit Infection Risk Tool. With rain in the forecast, NC State Extension recommends a fungicide application if flowers and/or fruit are present and the last fungicide applications was more than 7 days ago.

Botrytis rot is a serious disease in all strawberry production areas that can cause problems not only in the field, but also during storage, transport, and marketing of strawberry fruit. The symptom most commonly observed is rotted fruit with growth of a velvety gray mold. In Fungicide Selection for Botrytis and Anthracnose Fruit Rot Management 2017, growers are encouraged to implement a program including Switch fungicide for effective Botrytis rot control.

Switch fungicide is a prepack mixture fungicide that combines two active ingredients that offer control of gray mold (Botrytis) and other important diseases in strawberry crops. Switch attacks disease pathogens at four different stages in the pathogen life cycle to provide long-lasting control at low use rates.

For more information:
www.knowmoregrowmore.com