How to Combat Phytophthora Root Rot on Your Strawberry Plants

As a professional gardener, there is nothing more painful in our profession than to watch one of our formerly healthy plants fall foul to Phytophthora root rot. This soil-borne disease also affects strawberries among many other crops and is due to infection by Phytophthora fragariae, a water mould that thrives in waterlogged soil; signs are wilting, stunted growth and death of the plants. Phytophthora root rot treatment is a necessity to have sustainable farming or else these common strawberry diseases will eat the whole plantation. 

Stopping Phytophthora Root Rot through Regular Farming Methods

Identifying phytophthora root rot symptoms often initiates efforts to prevent the disease effectively. Control is defined as eliminating Phytophthora root rot or maintaining a state where it doesn’t increase tree mortality. Culturally, managing Phytophthora root rot involves cultivating healthy trees as a fundamental concept. Effective strategies in both the European and U.S. markets have proven successful in managing this disease.

Improve Soil Drainage: This plant thrives well in well-drained soils thus planting on raised beds or mounds should be done. This keeps the chances of water logging situations which promotes the growth of Phytophthora root rot in strawberries at a low level.

Rotate Crops: Rotate your crops and do not plant strawberry in the same soil for at least 3-4 years. This assists in interrupting the disease cycle ad minimizes on the concentration of pathogens in the soil.

Use Resistant Varieties: Select Phytophthora-resistant types of strawberries since they are designed to cope with the pathogen’s threats. These might not be completely non-vulnerable but they provide a better chance of survival for the varieties.

Mulching and Irrigation: Organic mulch should be spread on the base of the plants so that it retains soil moisture and control temperature. But ensure not to over water the plant as this will only worsen the situation as the air will be saturated with water.

Organic Farming Using Biological Practices

Recently, the world has moved away from chemical solutions to natural agricultural methods. Microbial biocontrol agents offer an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides. Many fungicides exist for strawberries, but selecting the right one benefits both the plant and planet.

Biological pest control for strawberry diseases supports global environmental health. In Europe and the U.S., bio-products target pathogens and boost overall plant health. Trianum Shield by Novobac, with Trichoderma Harzianum, improves plant health and combats pests. Trichoderma Harzianum also enhances root conditions by outcompeting harmful organisms like Phytophthora. Root rot management should accompany biological practices for effective disease control. Systemic use of bio-products protects root zones and enhances plants’ disease resistance. A multi-target approach effectively combats Phytophthora root rot and boosts strawberry plant health.

Expert Review on Sustainable Practices with Trianum Shield bioinsecticide

Dr. Hartman of Berlin University says, “Novobac’s Trianum Shield bioinsecticide, containing Trichoderma Harzianum is also another product that stands out as holding a lot of a promise in helping farmers to manage their crops through microbial biocontrol agencies of this type that work in a symbiotic way with plant roots This way, instead of having to rely on synthetic chemical inputs that are damaging to the crops, the farmer is able to control the essentiality of soil borne plant pathogens.”

Conclusion

The management of Phytophthora root rot in strawberry plants involves both conventional cultural measures and some biological better new methods! Proper aeration of the soil, crop rotation, and resistant varieties will enable you to put arrangements that enhance plant growth in your garden. However, introducing products of bio-chemical origin such as Novobac’s Trianum Shield biological insecticide as an input in planting is among the most efficient and environmentally friendly technique of eradicating this disease. Preventing fungal diseases in strawberries can always help to produce good yields.

As we pointed out in both cases these strategies are some of the practices that you need to embrace if you want to grow better strawberry plants whether in Europe, or in the United States or elsewhere and develop a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.

References:

1. Ahmed, M. F. A., and I. A. I. El-Fiki. “Effect of biological control of root rot diseases of strawberry using Trichoderma spp.” Middle East J Appl Sci 7.3 (2017): 482-492.
2. Porras, M., et al. “Reduction of Phytophthora cactorum in strawberry fields by Trichoderma spp. and soil solarization.” Plant Disease 91.2 (2007): 142-146.