Recent Developments in Strawberry Red Stele Race Distribution Studies

Abstract

In low-lying, heavy-textured, or poorly drained fields, strawberries frequently are attacked by Phytophthora fragariaeHickman, red stele, a root-rotting fungus which causes the vascular strands, or steles, of the roots to become red and rot. Plants infected with this fungus bear poorly, are very drought-susceptible, and usually die. Red stele is one of the most serious and most insidious diseases of strawberries. Since no adequate chemical control is yet available, growers must use resistant varieties wherever the disease occurs.