Red Stele symptoms on Strawberry
Red Stele (fungus - Phytophthora fragariae): Red stele is the most
serious root disease of strawberries. It occurs during the late
winter and spring. The fungus attacks only strawberries and is
spread from one area to another primarily through diseased plants.
In a healthy plant, the roots are a yellowish-white and in a
diseased plant, the center is a distinctive brownish-red. Infected
plants are stunted and wilt in dry weather. The root systems have
a rattail appearance with few lateral roots produced. The disease
is more disastrous in low, poorly drained fields during cool
weather. There are no chemical or cultural methods for reducing
disease losses, except to replant resistant varieties. The fungus
does not persist in well drained soils.
January, 1996
