Why Do Strawberries Rot? Causes and Solutions Explained

Strawberries are a fruit with relatively high economic value, and many people grow them, but many growers often run into the problem of rotten strawberries, which affects both yield and the grower's income. To do a good job of preventing and controlling strawberry fruit rot, you must first understand what causes it. Let's take a look at the details below.

I. Causes of Fruit Rot

1. Diseases

Disease is one of the main causes of strawberry fruit rot. Since strawberries are now grown in greenhouses, and greenhouses have higher temperatures and humidity along with poor ventilation, pathogens thrive in this kind of environment. Strawberries that lie close to the ground are even more prone to infection, and multiple diseases can cross-infect. In damp conditions, infection easily leads to fruit rot. Diseases that cause strawberry fruit rot include powdery mildew, gray mold, Phytophthora fruit rot, sclerotinia rot, and anthracnose.

2. Poor Soil Conditions

Poor soil conditions in which strawberries are grown can also cause fruit rot. If the soil is heavy and clayey, has poor permeability, low nutrients, and insufficient fertilizer supply, and is combined with the pathogens and harmful substances brought by continuous cropping, the fruit is highly prone to infection and rot.

3. Improper Cultivation Management

Some growers apply fertilizer blindly when planting, over-applying nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer promotes rapid plant growth, but excessive nitrogen application easily causes plants to grow leggy, which lowers their resistance and makes them vulnerable to disease. In addition, applying organic fertilizer that is not fully decomposed can also lead to fruit rot.

II. Prevention and Control Methods

1. Choose Good Varieties

When planting, choose varieties that grow vigorously and have strong disease resistance. This reduces the occurrence of disease and fruit rot.

2. Soil Treatment

Use reasonable crop rotation to solve the soil problems caused by continuous cropping. In addition, when planting, try to choose soil that is loose, well-aerated, well-drained, and reasonably fertile. Before planting, it is best to disinfect it with lime powder or plant ash.

3. High-Ridge Cultivation

High-ridge cultivation solves the problems of drainage and fruit touching the ground. Using drip irrigation saves water and also prevents the soil from becoming too dry or too wet. After watering, increase ventilation to lower air humidity, and do not water during rainy weather.

4. Handle Rotten Fruit

When disease appears and a small amount of fruit rot occurs, promptly remove diseased leaves, flowers, and fruit to cut off the transmission route and reduce the source of infection. Also promptly remove old leaves to increase air circulation and prevent the disease from spreading further.

5. Chemical Control

Once disease is detected, apply chemical control promptly. A commonly used control agent is Trichoderma, which can control most diseases and works well.

The above are the causes of and solutions for strawberry fruit rot. We hope this helps you. To learn more about strawberry cultivation, please stay tuned to us.