Recent News
Our latest research blog post: Diagnostic symptoms and signs of OFF-CYCLE ZYTHIA LEAF BLOTCH
Oct 25, 2022
Learn about diagnostic symptoms and signs of OFF-CYCLE ZYTHIA LEAF BLOTCH in our latest research blog post.
We usually see Zythia leaf blotch (caused by Zythia fragariae) during the early spring when plants are small and the weather is cool and wet. With summer planting in Santa Maria occurring in May, especially in fields close to the coastline where fog and heavy dews are common, the same conditions exist...
Read more: https://strawberrycenterblog.com/2022/10/25/off-cycle-zythia-leaf-blotch/
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Strawberry Center students tour "table top" production system
Oct 25, 2022
TABLE TOPS TOUR
Strawberry Center students toured the "table top" production system at Mar Vista Berry on 17 Oct 2022. Table top production is not new but is seeing renewed interest and improved techniques among some strawberry growers because of the benefits it offers over conventional farming (e.g., improved ergonomics for harvesting and lack of soilborne pathogens). The advantages must be weighed against the increased costs for long-term sustainability. Strawberry farming in California is a very dynamic business where new stressors on the system can change farming practices rapidly. Our students got an outstanding introduction to this system along with its pros and cons by hosts Greg France and Ryan Harrison at Mar Vista Berry, both Cal Poly grads.
TABLE TOP STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IN THE NEWS:
LA TIME: https://tinyurl.com/la-times-strawberry
CBS NEWS: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/strawberry-picking-robots-help-farmers-amid-drought/
A bumper crop of lygus: 7 facts about lygus bugs you may not have known
Oct 20, 2022
Lygus bug gotcha down?
Center entomologist Dr. Sarah Zukoff reviews some basic lygus biology on in our recent blog post -- "A bumper crop of lygus: 7 facts about lygus bugs you may not have known".
https://tinyurl.com/lygus-bugs-strawberry
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Strawberry Center participating in 4-year $5.3M USDA-NIFA/SCRI-funded study
Oct 20, 2022
The Strawberry Center is participating in a 4-year $5.3M USDA-NIFA SCRI-sponsored research project led by Dr. Mark Hoffmann, strawberry production specialist at NC State University, and 19 other scientists at 12 universities across the country. Center Master's student Sam Simard’s research, aiming to develop strawberry propagation protocols, is part of this multi-state “mega-project”. Specifically, she is focusing on analyzing the effect that planting date has on yield of two predominant strawberry cultivars, assaying such traits as plant vigor, fruit weight and fruit quantity.
Read about this USDA-NIFA-funded research project on HortiDaily.com @
https://tinyurl.com/host-daily-2022
Great AGventure event 2022
Oct 14, 2022
Our team had the wonderful opportunity to host an exhibit table at the 20th annual Great AGventure, held at the Paso Robles Events Center on Tuesday, Oct. 11. This event focuses on providing interactive education to local 4th graders on various sectors of the agricultural industry.
Mary Steele (Strawberry Center) and Miriam Mendez and James Reid (both CA Strawberry Commission) hosted a fabulous table, providing a presentation and interactive activities for the kids in attendance. Among other things, they demonstrated Phytophthora testing using Immuno-strips and allowed close inspection with a hand lens of berries carrying Botrytis. A huge thank you goes out to Mary, Miriam and James for creating such a wonderful opportunity for local kids to learn about our center and to the SLO Agricultural Education Committee for hosting this enriching annual event!
Jose Alvarado Rojas receives ESA travel award and stipend
Oct 11, 2022
Strawberry Center Entomology Research Manager Jose Alvarado Rojas has been selected to receive a travel award and stipend to attend the 2022 Entomological Society of America (ESA) conference, being held this November in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Jose has also been invited to speak at the 10th Annual Latin/Hispanic Symposium.
Congratulations Jose!
New office decor installations at the Strawberry Center!
Oct 7, 2022
Check out our new office wall decor! Our photo collage wall wrap is a showcase of the Strawberry Center's and Cal Poly's mission using photos of students in action (i.e., "Learn by Doing"). Both a strawberry word cloud and front window entry piece were installed as well.
Thank you to Quality Tinting and Signs of San Luis Obispo, CA for their beautiful work!
How Strawberries Are Grown in California
Sep 30, 2022
Graduate student Mary Steele presents research at Reiter workshop
Sep 27, 2022
Graduate student Mary Steele presented a portion of her research thesis at a Ranch Manager Workshop for Reiter Affiliated Companies. Her disease survey in Watsonville-Salinas and Santa Maria is showing which soilborne pathogens are most prevalent and how often they are found in mixed infections. Highly pertinent information for ranch managers!
The training consisted of presentations by Gerald Holmes and Kyle Blauer (diseases), Dan Howes (salinity), Charlotte Decock (nutrition) and Sarah Zukoff (entomology). Thanks to Andrew Rice and his team at Reiter for organizing the training.
Strawberry diseases and insects up close!
Sep 22, 2022
Center program leaders Drs. Sarah Zukoff and Shashika Hewavitharana hosted a hands-on exhibit table featuring strawberries' most important pests and diseases at the STEM College to Career Development event, held in Arroyo Grande, CA on September 25, 2022.
Hosted by Central Coast STEM Connect, this event endeavors to raise awareness and interest in students of all ages about expanded STEM subjects:
(S)cience, service & self-employment
(T)echnology & trades
(E)ngineering & entrepreneurship
(M)ath, medical & media/graphics
