Help on the Way To Better Protect Strawberries from Soilborne Diseases

A $1 million dollar grant has been awarded to the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) Strawberry Center to research methods to combat soilborne diseases that harm strawberry plants. The California Strawberry Commission made the initial request to Assemblyman Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), who worked through the legislature to secure the new funding.

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The grant will expand the Strawberry Center’s ongoing diagnostics services and research on diseases affecting strawberry plants. This funding will help further the work of the Strawberry Center in developing solutions to ensure the sustainability of the California strawberry industry,” says Gerald Holmes, Strawberry Center Director. “It also enables Cal Poly to fulfill our mission of engaging students in hands-on learning, preparing them to enter the workforce ready to make a difference. Cal Poly is very appreciative of Assemblyman Rivas’ support of this important work.”

The California strawberry industry is challenged by numerous diseases, especially those caused by soilborne pathogens. Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties have been greatly impacted by these diseases in addition to other production districts throughout California. This grant funding will assist growers in managing problem soil areas in strawberry production districts and will provide benefits to the entire California strawberry industry. These diseases are impossible to diagnose visually, even for the most experienced strawberry growers, pest control advisors and plant pathologists. A portion of the funding will be used to expand the Strawberry Center’s capacity for diagnostics and additional laboratory space. The expanded lab space will help the Strawberry Center staff diagnose and even prevent plant diseases.

The Strawberry Center is a partnership between the Commission and Cal Poly that began in 2013. The initial team began conducting research on soilborne pathogens and fumigation alternatives, two critical pressing issues facing the industry. Over the last nine years, the Strawberry Center has expanded its research to three main programs: plant pathology, entomology, and automation.

According to the California Strawberry Commission, the industry, which also includes acreage in the Oxnard and Santa Maria regions, collectively generates more than $2 billion dollars annually in production value with a total economic contribution of more than $3.2 billion dollars to California.

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