For strawberries and other fruit commodities, there are always numerous questions about which fungicides to use and when to apply them. A detailed IPM guide for strawberries is available at www.smallfruits.org, but producers often find a more cookbook-style approach helpful. Guido Schnabel of Clemson University compiled the attached document, which provides useful information on several suggested spray programs, especially for producers who have been growing strawberries for many years in the same location.
In new plantings at new locations, lower levels of fungicide resistance in fungal populations may be expected. However, resistance can be introduced with the plants themselves. Regardless, this document is a good resource to review during the winter while planning for spring.
Some Neopestalotiopsis issues have been identified in Georgia, but overall activity appears lower than last year. The University of Georgia Molecular Diagnostic Clinic can test for resistance in Botrytis and anthracnose fungi, and the same laboratory can confirm the presence of aggressive Neopestalotiopsis if needed. There is a fee for these services, but the results can help producers better understand potential resistance issues at their sites or determine whether aggressive Neopestalotiopsis is present in their fields. Producers interested in these services should contact their local county agent for more information.
You can download the South Carolina Strawberry Spray Strategy at the link here
Source: University of Georgia
