Strawberry
These guidelines are based on those developed by S. Schloemann, A.R. Bonanno, D.R. Cooley & C.S. Hollingsworth, published in C.S. Hollingsworth & W.M. Coli (eds). 1999. Massachusetts Integrated Pest Management Guidelines: Crop Specific Definitions. University of Massachusetts Extension Publication IP-IPMA.
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Soil Nutrient Management and Cultural Practices
Cultural practices are of value in management of nutrients, weeds, diseases,
or insects. The goal of a sound fertility program is to supply adequate
nutrients with optimum timing for maximum economical crop yield, while avoiding
excesses that can degrade water quality or adversely affect crop or soil
quality.
- Land that was planted to strawberries in the previous year, but where the planting was terminated, is now in a planned rotation out of strawberries for 1-5 years. (2 points per year.) 2-10 pts
- The crop rotation plan practiced includes at least one year of a non-solanaceous, non-rosaceous cash and/or cover crop. 2 pts
- Cover crops are used in the rotation plan and are selected for specific properties (e.g., marigolds for suppressing nematodes, sudangrass for suppressing weeds and/or adding organic matter). 2 pts
- Fields have been evaluated with an appropriate soil test for nutrient status and pH for the current year. 5 pts
- Fertilizer use is based on leaf tissue analysis and soil tests. 10 pts
- The planting pattern is in the form of a narrow matted or ribbon row in order to optimize air circulation. Thus, the canopy width when fully grown does not exceed 2 ft. and rows are spaced to allow for at least 2 ft. of open space between fully grown row canopies. 15 pts
- No plants reside in saturated soil or standing water during the season. 3 pts
- A weed-free biodegradable mulch layer is maintained within the row
and between
rows in bearing beds from early spring until renovation, to suppress weeds and
prevent splashing of water from rain or irrigation. 10 pts - At bed renovation, leaves are mowed and incorporated into the soil to reduce disease inoculum. 5 pts
- Nitrogen application is primarily at renovation and in September in order to avoid excessive spring foliage growth which can increase disease development (esp. Botrytis Gray Mold). 5 pts
- Strawberries are mulched with weed-free, biodegradable mulch (e.g, straw) for winter protection. 10 pts
- A water use plan is used which minimizes disease development, optimizes water use efficiency, and minimizes erosion and run-off. 10 pts
Category Total 87 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Pesticides Application and Records
Only pesticides approved and registered for strawberry in the state are used. Records of pesticide applications are maintained, including date, field and block, target pest, crop stage pesticide name and EPA number, formulation, rate and number of acres treated. Pesticide drift is minimized. Re-entry and pre-harvest intervals are adhered to. Win-PST analysis is conducted for all pesticides considered for use on the farm.
- Insecticide/fungicide sprayer is calibrated before the start of the season. *10 pts
- Herbicide sprayer is calibrated before the start of the season. *10 pts
- Sprayers are recalibrated at least once during the season. *5 pts
- Spray records are maintained and organized. *5 pts
Category Total 30 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Disease Management
- Disease-free transplants are used. 5 pts
- Disease problems are accurately identified and management strategies tailored to actual diseases present in the field in current season (i.e., not as prophylaxis unless history of the problem is well known). 10 pts
- Detailed records (including maps, if appropriate) are kept to document field history of diseases, weather information, and management strategies used and the results. Varietal differences are noted. 2 pts
- Disease resistant cultivars are chosen, if appropriate, when planting new sites. 5 pts
- Strawberry plantings are made on raised beds to optimize water and air drainage, where appropriate. 5 pts
- Fungicides are applied for gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) up to 3 times during bloom starting at 10% bloom, according to weather conditions and related disease pressure. 10 pts
- If environmental conditions are not favorable for fruit rot development, no fungicide is applied after bloom. 10 pts
- Fungicides are chosen in combinations that discourage disease resistance development. 15 pts
Category Total 62 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Insect Management
Insect monitoring methods and thresholds should conform to state
IPM program guidelines. Records should be kept of all monitoring information
collected.
- Insect problems are accurately identified and management strategies
tailored to
actual insect pests present in the field in current season. 10 pts - Detailed records (including maps, if appropriate) are kept to document field history of insect pests, management strategies used and the results. Note varietal differences. Scouting records are maintained from year to year. 5 pts
- Insecticides are not sprayed when bees are active during bloom. 5 pts
- Tarnished plant bug adults are monitored weekly by using white sticky traps starting mid-April and continuing until 10% bloom. 5 pts
- Tarnished plant bug nymphs are monitored weekly using flower truss
counts
starting at 10% bloom and continuing until harvest begins. Control measures are
not taken until the action threshold of either 0.25 nymphs per truss or 10%
infested trusses is exceeded. 15 pts - Twospotted spider mites (TSSM) are monitored weekly until harvest (bimonthly after renovation) by systematically examining at least 50 mid-tier leaves and determining presence or absence of TSSM on those leaves. 10 pts
- Control measures for spider mites are not taken until: 25% of leaves sampled show presence of TSSM but no predator mites are found OR 30% of leaves sampled show presence of TSSM and some predators mites are found. 10 pts
- Twospotted spider mites are controlled using releases of predator mites. Bonus practice
- Pesticides used for controlling other insects and diseases are selected to avoid those which are toxic to mite predators. *5 pts
- Sprays are limited to border rows where possible. Bonus: points earned if at least one border spray is applied. 5 pts
Category Total 80 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Weed Management
- A weed survey is conducted to systematically identify weed pressure
in each field. Herbicide rate, selection and spot spraying are based on the results
of the
weed survey. 15 pts - Cultivation and hand weeding are used to control weeds. 10 pts
- Weed growth around the field border is controlled (e.g. by cultivation or mowing) to reduce weed seed movement into the field, improve air circulation and eliminate refuge for insect pests. 10 pts
- Perennial weeds are eliminated the fall prior to planting, where possible. 5 pts
Category Total 35 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Education
- Manager attends one or more state/regional/national berry management workshops or conferences during the current year. 5 pts
- Manager has a current copy of Northeast Small Fruit Pest Management Guide. 5 pts
- Manager has current membership in New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association. 5 pts
Category Total 15 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Grand Total 309 pts
Adjusted Grand Total ______ pts
Percentage of adjusted total %
Acknowledgment
The authors thank J. Kovach, Cornell Cooperative Extension,
for his assistance.
