Inoculating Monterey cultivar with Phytophthora cactorum

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!