Strawberry Cultivar Susceptibility to Neopestalotiopsis Leaf Spot in Indiana

In June 2020, a leaf spot caused by Neopestalotiopsis sp. in Indiana strawberry production was confirmed to be the same disease recently found in Florida strawberry production. Differences in cultivar susceptibility were observed in the field. Greenhouse trials using either bare-root or plug plants were conducted to explore possible differences in host resistance to the foliar phase of the disease caused by Neopestalotiopsis sp. Clear differences in cultivar susceptibility were observed. Florida Brilliance, Florida Sensation, Camino Real, and Florida Radiance were among the most susceptible cultivars evaluated in these trials. Several short-day cultivars, including AC Valley Sunset, Darselect, Earliglow, Flavorfest, Galletta, Honeoye, Jewel, and Sonata, remained asymptomatic in the trials. Because many of the abovementioned asymptomatic short-day cultivars are commonly used in matted row systems typical of Indiana strawberry production, future field trials with the matted row system could demonstrate that the foliar phase of the disease caused by Neopestalotiopsis sp. may be less common in Indiana than in other areas of the United States.