Disease management in strawberry production: The Philippine experience
L. M. VILLANUEVA (1)
(1) Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet, PHILIPPINES
Phytopathology 100:S130

Strawberry is grown only in Benguet Province because of its unique climatic conditions. It has been a lucrative source of income for Benguet farmers and adds to the revenue of Benguet Province. Diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and nematodes are important limiting factors in strawberry production in the area. However, researches on strawberry diseases are very nil which could be attributed to limited funding support to the crop. To identify the major diseases, soil and plant samples were collected from the strawberry growing areas in Baguio City and Benguet Province. The following diseases were observed: verticillium wilt, red stele, leaf scorch, leaf spot, leaf blight, gray mold and other minor disorders. On the other hand, the root lesion and strawberry crimp nematodes were the economically important nematode pests identified. Six strawberry cultivars namely Sweet Charlie, Camarosa, Festival, Whitney Earlibrite, and Winterdawn were evaluated for their resistance to the major fungal pathogens and root lesion nematode. Sweet Charlie, the most preferred strawberry cultivar seems to be resistant to some fungal pathogens and root lesion nematode. Other potential disease management options tested include the following: use of indigenous mulching materials, rotation with broccoli, use of biocontrol agents and application of baking soda. Integration of effective and compatible disease management strategies would be very crucial in the improvement of the strawberry industry in the region.