Recent News
A new graduate student at the Center!
Feb 5, 2025
Maria Alvarez Arredondo is one of our new graduate students at the Center. She is currently working on two projects for her research. The first is a cultivar trial, where she is testing 81 transplants from various breeding programs to assess their susceptibility to Macrophomina root rot and Verticillium wilt. The second is a sanitation study, which evaluates the effectiveness of different sanitizing agents in removing soilborne pathogens. This study also includes a survey to understand current farm practices to prevent the spread of these pathogens. She is pictured here working in her field plots and plating in the lab!
Releasing Phytoseiulus persimilis in the strawberry fields
Jan 29, 2025
This week, some of our students released Phytoseiulus persimilis in our strawberry fields. These predatory mites feed on two-spotted spider mites, a serious pest of strawberries. For this method to be successful, a proper balance between predator and prey must be struck. It requires good timing and proper conditions but California growers know how to make it work!
Predatory mites are one of the many non-chemical means of controlling pests in California strawberries.
Inoculating Monterey cultivar with Phytophthora cactorum
Jan 24, 2025
Last week, our team inoculated the 'Monterey' strawberry cultivar with Phytophthora cactorum, the pathogen that causes phytophthora crown rot. This is a water mold, so symptoms are more often seen in our wetter months. We are currently studying the efficacy of new chemistries for the control of Phytophthora crown rot.
To evaluate these products, we inoculate healthy plants then follow up with fungicide applications. We grow the spores on plates which are then washed into a container and diluted to the right concentration. Syringes are then used to inject 50 ml of inoculum into the soil at the base of each plant. Fungicides will be applied through the drip system, and we’ll monitor the plants for mortality in the coming weeks!
A record-breaking 200 samples at the Center's diagnostic clinic!
Dec 18, 2024
The Strawberry Center's diagnostic clinic has reached a record-breaking 200 samples this year! Leading this effort is Dr. Shashika Hewavitharana and Samantha Simard, who are assisted by our undergraduate students. This service is funded and facilitated by the Strawberry Commission team, especially Andrew Molinar, who coordinated sample submissions with growers and PCAs. We're excited to see what is in store for 2025!
If you would like to submit a sample please follow the guidelines available here: https://strawberry.calpoly.edu/strawberry-disease-information-form
Recent glimpses into early mornings and evenings at the Center
Dec 10, 2024
A recent glimpse into the early mornings and evenings here at the Center. We're lucky to be in such a beautiful place!
Investigating UV-C light as an arthropod pest management strategy in strawberries
Dec 5, 2024
Colin Koubek, our Entomology Research Associate, is currently examining the effects of UV-C as an arthropod pest management strategy in strawberries. Eggs of two-spotted spider mites and lygus were placed in the field, three dosages of UV-C light were applied, and egg hatch percentage was counted to determine ovicidal effects of UV-C. Interested in learning about the research process? Click here: https://youtu.be/S0QAxiuOAIg?si=ivz_qBF92mDuf-iX
Hosting the 2024 Annual PIP-CAP Meeting
Nov 26, 2024
We had the pleasure of hosting PIP-CAP's (Precise Indoor Propagation Coordinated Agriculture Project) 2024 Annual Meeting here at the Strawberry Center. This project is sponsored by the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) and by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. There was a great Q&A discussion panel featuring Hillary Thomas, Mike Nelson and Michael Schwieterman. In addition, we were able to take the group on a tour of our fields and throughout campus, as well as a tour of growers in Santa Maria.
NEW BLOG POST: Strawberry Center Diagnostic Service
Nov 22, 2024
NEW BLOG POST: "Cal Poly Strawberry Center Diagnostics"
The pathology lab reflects on a productive year, with 185 plant samples processed to date—the highest since the service began in 2014. Supported by the California Strawberry Commission, this free diagnostic service continues to provide growers with accurate and timely results.
Learn more about the service and submission process: https://strawberrycenterblog.com/2024/11/18/cal-poly-strawberry-center-diagnostics/
The Center hosts a delegation from Kyrgyzstan
Nov 19, 2024
This past week, we had the honor of hosting a delegation from Kyrgyzstan, led by Tilek Toktogaziev, Chairman of the Berry Growers Association (Kyrgyz Republic). Their visit to California focused on learning about our agricultural practices with the aim of improving techniques and increasing berry production in their home country. It was a wonderful opportunity to exchange insights and foster mutual learning!
Photo Key (1st photo, left to right): Tologon Tekebaev, Arsen Tynybekov, Zukhra Ismailova, Mohammad Amir Aghaee, Tilek Toktogaziev and Kaiypbek Ismailov. Photo by Talgat Ukubaev.
Student assistant Joseph Simard featured in Cal Poly magazine
Nov 15, 2024
Proud moment for the Strawberry Center! One of our student assistants, Joseph Simard, was featured in Cal Poly's magazine for his work in firefighting handcrew Santa Lucia Crew 7. Joe started out as a lead sawyer in summer 2023 and is now the Alpha crew member. We’re inspired by his dedication at the Strawberry Center and on the frontlines of wildfire response! We’re lucky to have such a diverse team of students, each bringing unique experiences and skills to the Center. Check out the story here: https://magazine.calpoly.edu/fall-2024/forged-in-flame/
Photos by Joe Johnston.
