Fungal Disease Threatens Ohio Strawberry Supply This Season

By Andi Anderson

Ohio’s strawberry growers are facing a serious challenge this year due to a fungal disease called Neopestalotiopsis, or “Neo-P.” This aggressive pathogen is spreading quickly, causing reduced crop yields and supply issues that may lead to higher prices for locally grown strawberries.

First identified in Ohio in 2021, Neo-P has made it difficult for growers to get healthy strawberry transplants, especially those who plant in the fall for spring or summer harvest. Many nurseries were unable to supply disease-free plants last season, limiting planting options for growers.

Ohio State University Extension is stepping in to support farmers. Experts say that controlled environment growers, like those using greenhouses or high tunnels, face even more challenges, with fewer fungicide options available and no known disease-resistant strawberry varieties.

To help, Ohio State is offering educational support, research, and disease management strategies. The university is studying how the disease survives in soil and how to detect it early before it spreads. Funding from the CFAES Internal Grants Program and the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association (OPGMA) is helping these efforts.

Extension specialists are sharing updates through newsletters, meetings, and digital tools, helping farmers respond quickly to outbreaks. The C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic also offers free disease diagnosis services to commercial growers.

Research at Ohio State’s greenhouse facilities has been affected too, as diseased transplants disrupt trials. Still, the outbreak offers a chance to better understand disease spread in controlled environments.

Looking ahead, researchers are working on a grant proposal to identify strawberry varieties that may tolerate Neo-P infections, helping secure the future of Ohio’s strawberry industry. Despite the current challenges, Ohio State remains committed to supporting local growers through science, education, and outreach.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski