Ohio Strawberry Crop Faces Threat from Spreading Fungus

By Andi Anderson

Strawberry growers in Ohio are facing a serious challenge this spring due to the spread of a fungal disease known as Neopestalotiopsis.

First discovered in the state in 2021, the disease is now causing major damage to strawberry crops and is expected to reduce this season’s harvest.

Melanie Lewis Ivey, a plant pathologist and professor at Ohio State University, says the disease has already caused significant crop loss in the state.

It spreads easily through infected mother plants, which pass the fungus on to daughter plants through runners. These plants are then grown in greenhouses or fields and can show symptoms like browning leaves and poor fruit development.

The fungus has spread across several regions, from the Carolinas to eastern Canada. Growers are finding it difficult to source healthy plants free of the disease. Some U-Pick farms in Ohio may have fewer strawberries available this year, which could lead to higher prices for consumers.

Brett Rhoads, a farmer near Circleville, noticed infected plants he had purchased from a Canadian producer last fall. He says this unexpected infection could lead to the loss of his entire strawberry crop, which normally ripens in May. “There’s a lot of money sitting out there,” Rhoads said, expressing concern over the financial impact.

Strawberries are already challenging to grow in Ohio due to weather and labor demands. Experts are unsure if the fungus can survive Ohio winters, but milder winters raise the chance it could remain in leftover plant material.

Ivey recommends using fungicides to slow disease spread and advises farmers to plough and harrow the field after harvest to destroy infected plants.

With farmers on alert, the state’s spring strawberry season remains uncertain.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski