Nutrient nitrogen management for disease control in strawberry

Abstract

Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum are important strawberry pathogens Nitrogen (N) application can increase yield but also susceptibility to pathogens Strawberry plants (Camarosa and Ventana) were grown in sand fertilised with base nutrients plus ammonium nitrate ammonium sulphate or calcium nitrate at low (40 ppm N) and high (140 ppm N) concentration Controls consisted of base nutrients only and water only Flower production fruit yield and berry size all increased with increasing Nconcentration but Nsource itself was not important Disease susceptibility was affected by both Nconcentration and Nsource At high Nconcentration C acutatum fruit lesions were largest in ammonium sulphate treatments > ammonium nitrate > calcium nitrate; Botryits cinerea lesions were largest in ammonium nitrate > ammonium sulphate > calcium nitrate Similar trends were observed for leaf susceptibility to the two pathogens These data suggest that calcium nitrate may be a suitable source of nitrogen helping growers to reduce disease risk

Pervasive fungicide resistance in Botrytis from strawberry in Norway: Identification of the grey mould pathogen and mutations

“…Regardless of fungicide resistance frequencies in the grey mould pathogen, this shows that strawberry growers must include integrated control measures. The use of high tunnels (Nes et al, 2017; Xiao et al, 2001), planting density (Legard et al, 2000), as well as amount and type of nitrogen fertilization (Walter et al, 2008), are examples of cultural methods that may prevent development of conditions conducive to grey mould and can contribute to disease control in situations where fungicide choices are limited and efficacy is compromised by resistance. There is potential for grey mould control, even in the face of pervasive fungicide resistance.…”

Physiological response of grapevines to vascular pathogens a review

“…Nutrient supply may be important for disease response. In strawberries (Walter et al 2008) and grapes (Elmer & Reglinski 2006), calcium has been associated with cell wall integrity and resistance to fungal penetration. Increases in vine uptake of calcium ions during Pierce's disease infection, as part of the plant's defence system, have been reported (Xu et al 2003).…”