Sunscald
Sunscald is caused by high temperatures and over-exposure of strawberry fruit to the sun. Symptoms are more common when hot sunny weather occurs after a prolonged period of cool cloudy weather. Symptoms appear on the upper side of fruit, near the calyx, just before ripening where fruit is exposed to the sun. The fruit becomes pale and mushy at first, eventually drying down to a distinct, firm, bleached lesion ranging in colour from pink to off-grey. Berries growing on the south or west side of rows, and those without adequate foliage canopy, are most susceptible. Some varieties are more susceptible than others.
Often Confused With
Leather rot
Anthracnose
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