Agriculture

Strawberry - Cultural Pest Control

Planting (Non-fruiting) Year

Cultural controls of pests should be incorporated as part of an integrated pest management program.

IPM = cultural + chemical + biological (where available) control measures.

Cultural control measures include: site selection, crop rotation, isolation and plant/cultivar selection.

Site Selection/Crop Rotation

Do not plant strawberries following sod as wireworms and white grubs may be a problem.

Weeds, particularly perennial weeds such as quackgrass and Canada thistle, should be eradicated before planting.

Strawberries are susceptible to Verticillium wilt. Do not plant strawberries following strawberries, raspberries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, sunflowers and alfalfa. Summerfallow for at least two years between crops, if possible.

Select a site with good soil drainage. Avoid heavy, poorly drained fields. Poor drainage can stress strawberry plantings and increase the risk of black root rot.

Select a site with good air drainage where the plants are exposed to direct sunlight. Planting with rows parallel to prevailing winds will promote fast drying of the foliage and fruit which will help prevent fruit rots such as botrytis fruit rot, and leaf diseases such as leaf spot, leaf blight and leaf scorch.

Isolation

Do not establish new plantings adjacent to old plantings. Insect pests such as the root weevil, strawberry bud weevil (clipper), and the strawberry cutworm can cause problems in older plantings and may pose a threat to adjacent new plantings.

Plant/Cultivar Selection

Buy certified plants for all new plantings. Rogue out any off-type or diseased plants. If sunflowers are used as wind breaks, use Verticillium wilt resistant hybrid varieties.

Fruiting Years

Cultural controls of pests should be incorporated as part of an integrated pest management program.

IPM = cultural + chemical + biological (where available) control measures.

Cultural control measures in fruiting years include cropping practices such as irrigation scheduling, straw mulch, and renovation.

Weed Control

Weeds, particularly broadleaved weeds, act as hosts for tarnished plant bug and two-spotted spider mite populations. Weeds can also keep relative humidity high and slow drying of the plants thereby encouraging fruit rots such as botrytis fruit rot and leather rot. Weed control is important not only in the field but in shelterbelts, fence lines, areas surrounding storage building, etc

Fertilization

Avoid excessive fertilizer applications (especially nitrogen in the spring) which can promote development of an overly dense humid canopy which in turn may promote fruit rots (Botrytis fruit rot, leather rot).

Straw Mulch

Straw mulch should be thick enough to prevent soil from splashing on berries to help prevent leather rot.

Slugs may become a problem due to excessive straw cover and moisture. Reducing excessive straw should lessen the slug problem.

Irrigation Scheduling

For cooling or drought relief, irrigation should occur at midday to allow fruit and foliage to dry out before late evening. A wet canopy may promote development of fruit rots (Botrytis fruit rot, leather rot). Avoid applying too much water at one time to heavier soils as excessive soil moisture can favour black root rot and Verticillium wilt.

Renovation (Mowing and Narrowing Rows)

Mowing immediately after harvest helps to suppress two-spotted spider mites, powdery mildew and leaf diseases. Narrowing rows also decreases plant density which helps prevent development of an overly dense humid canopy that favours fruit rots such as Botrytis fruit rot and leather rot. Incorporation of straw and plant residues into the soil by rototilling helps eliminate the main source of Botrytis fruit rot.

Scout new plantings for insects, diseases and mites on a regular basis (i.e. every 2 weeks).

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