Publication 360, Fruit Production Recommendations:
Strawberries (Fruiting Years) - Preharvest

Table of Contents

1. Botrytis grey mold
2. Anthracnose fruit rot
3. Slugs
4. Thrips
5. Two-spotted spider mite
6. Precautions
7. Learn more
8. Other Strawberry Calender sections (Fruiting Years)
   • When new growth appears
   • When flower buds are visible in the crown
   • As flower buds extend from crown
   • First bloom
   • 7 to 10 days after first bloom
   • Renovation (after mowing)
   • Renovation (after mowing, to new growth)
   • Mid-August and again once or twice at 2-week intervals
   • Fall
9. Other Information on Strawberries
   • Strawberry Nutrition
   • Strawberry Calendar (Non-Bearing)
   • Notes on Insects and Diseases on Strawberries
     • Table 5-19. Products Used on Strawberries
     • Table 5-20. Activity of Fungicides on Strawberry Diseases
     • Table 5-21. Miticides Registered on Strawberries
     • Table 5-22. Activity of Insecticides on Strawberry Pests
     • Table 5-23. Strawberry Variety Disease Ratings
10. Other Information on Berries
    • Blueberries
    • Currant and Gooseberries
    • Raspberries
    • Saskatoons
11. Pub 360 Chapter 5 - Strawberry Calendar - (PDF 296 kb)
12. Related Links

Botrytis grey mould (Preharvest)

Ensure good spray coverage to keep all flower parts protected with fungicide during bloom. Typically 2-3 sprays at 7-10 day intervals during bloom will give good control. Use shorter spray intervals (i.e. 5-7 days) during wet weather. Choose fungicides from different chemical groups and use them in rotation. See Table 2-11. Fungicide/Bactericide Groups Based on Sites of Action.

• Materials: Apply one of;
  • Rovral @ 2.00 kg
  • Elevate 50 WDG @ 1.70 kg
  • Supra Captan 80 WDG @ 4.25 kg or Maestro 80 DF @ 4.25 kg
    
  • Folpan 80 WDG @ 2.50 kg
  • Lance WDG @ 560 g
  • Pristine WG @ 1.30 kg
    • Comments: Pristine and Lance: Both contain active ingredients in the same fungicide group. Do not alternate Pristine with Lance.
  • Scala SC @ 2.00 L
  • Switch 62.5 WG @ 975 g
    • Comments: Scala and Switch: Both contain active ingredients in the same fungicide group. Do not alternate Switch with Scala.
  • Serenade ASO @ 4.0-15.0L
    • Comments: Serenade ASO: Provides suppression rather than control of botrytis grey mould; see Table 2-6. Efficacy Ratings for Pesticides. Expect best results from multiple applications or when used in rotation with other products. See Biopesticides for disease control, and notes on Bacillus subtilis (Serenade MAX, Serenade ASO).
  • Actinovate SP @ 425g
    • Comments: Actinovate: Provides suppression rather than control; see Table 2-6. Efficacy Ratings for Pesticides. Spray to wet foliage but avoid runoff. See Biopesticides for disease control and notes on Streptomyces lydicus (Actinovate).

Anthracnose (Preharvest)

Bloom is the best time to control this disease. Warm wet weather during bloom favours the development of anthracnose fruit rot.

• Materials: Apply one of;
  • Cabrio EG @ 1.00 kg
  • Pristine WG @ 1.30 kg
  • Comments: Pristine and Cabrio: Both contain active ingredients in the same fungicide family. Make no more than two consecutive applications of either product and then alternate with fungicides from different families. See Table 2-8. Fungicide/Bactericide Groupings Based on Sites of Action.

Slugs (Preharvest)

• Materials: Sluggo @ 25.00 kg
  
  • Comments: Apply 50 kg/ha if population is very high. Apply when infestation begins. Reapply as bait is consumed or at least every two weeks if slugs and snails continue to be a problem.

   

Thrips (Preharvest)

• Materials: Delegate WG @ 280g
  • Comments: Check blossoms and under calyces for small thread-like yellow thrips. Expect more problems where insecticides have not been applied for tarnished plant bug. Delegate is registered for suppression, rather than control of thrips; see Table 2-6. Efficacy Ratings for Pesticides. Delegate is also labelled for greenhouse use.
    

Two-spotted spider mite (Preharvest)

Use high water volumes to ensure good coverage of the underside of leaves. To discourage resistance, alternate products from year to year and do not apply any product more than once each year. See Table 5-21. Miticides Registered on Strawberries, for details on timing.

• Materials: Apply one of;
  • Pyramite @ 600 g or Nexter @ 600 g
    
  • Apollo SC @ 500 mL
    • Comments: Apollo: Kills mite eggs and very young nymphs, but not older nymphs and adults. Apply when monitoring indicates mites are developing, mostly in the egg stage.
  • Agri-Mek 1.9% EC @ 1.00 L
    • Comments: Agri-Mek: Apply in sufficient water, minimum 375 L/ha, to ensure thorough leaf coverage.
  • Oberon @ 880mL/ha
    • Comments: Oberon: This product is translaminar but not systemic. Good spray coverage of both upper and lower leaf surfaces is needed for control. Use adequate water volume for complete coverage.

Precautions

Read the product label and follow all safety precautions.
Consult the product label for suggested water volumes. Otherwise, use enough water to ensure thorough spray coverage.

Products are listed according to insecticide and fungicide family groups. Use products from different groups to help prevent pest resistance. For resistance management refer to Pest Resistance to Insecticides, Fungicides, Miticides.

For information on strawberry pest identification, monitoring and thresholds, see ONTARIO CropIPM: Integrated Pest Management Training, available at www.ontario.ca/cropIPM or as OMAFRA Publication AF141 in CD format.

For re-entry period, maximum number of applications and chemical group, see Table 5-19. Products Used on Strawberries.

Learn more:

• Notes on Strawberry Diseases and Insects
  • Anthracnose
  • Two spotted spider mite

Related Links

• Notes on Strawberry Diseases and Insects
• OMAFRA Berry Index Page
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Pesticide Application and Safety
• Pesticide Companies and Agents
• Search the PMRA website
• Ontario Minor Use Program
• OMAFRA Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
• OMAFRA Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control: Berry Crops