Emmalea Ernest, Extension Fruit & Vegetable Specialist; emmalea@udel.edu
The strawberry section of the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations includes fungicide recommendations for botrytis and anthracnose. Timing of fungicide sprays should be informed by weather conditions. NEWA offers a Strawberry Diseases Model for predicting risk of infection by Anthracnose and Botrytis based on DEOS weather stations in Delaware. This tool includes risk levels based on the 5-day weather forecast. NEWA Strawberry Diseases Risk Levels for seven Delaware locations are compiled in the table below. After weeks of low disease risk, several days this past week had conditions that were conducive to disease development. Consider applying fungicides for botrytis or anthracnose control if you have not made an application within the last 7-14 days.
Strawberry Anthracnose and Botrytis Infection Risk from NEWA on May 10, 2024
When risk levels are low (green highlight) fungicides are not needed to control disease. When risk levels are moderate (orange highlight), fungicides should be applied if other factors are present that increase disease risk, such as susceptible varieties or a history of disease in the planting, AND fungicides have not been applied for 7-14 days. When risk levels are high (red highlight) apply a highly effective fungicide as soon as possible if no fungicides have been applied for 7-14 days.
You can get the most recent and relevant strawberry disease risk information by checking the NEWA model for the DEOS station closest to your field.