Problem
Winter injury/cold injury.
Symptoms
Leaf necrosis entire and/or margins, stunted plants, dead plants, internal discoloration.
Cold injury 1 week after cold event.
Rocco D Schiavone
Strawberry plant 24 hours after cold event.
Rocco D Schiavone
Cross section of cold injured plant. Notice the brown discolored area.
Rocco D Schiavone
Similar Problems
Herbicide/chemical injury.
Additional Information
Visible within 24 hours of frost/freeze event.
Diagnostic Tips
Outer older leaves are more prone to injury along with stressed plants.
Corrective Measures
Sanitation and botrytis control spray may be helpful.
Management
Proper planting and establishment will reduce plant susceptibility. Avoid high nitrogen during fall/winter. Allow plants to acclimatize prior to cold weather. Protect plants from desiccation and extreme cold (< 10°F) with row covers, straw (matted row production) or snow to reduce damage.
Useful Resources
North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual
Funding Sources
Funding was provided in part by the National Sustainable Agriculture Program: Sustainable Strawberry Initiative and the following sources.
Division of Agriculture Research & Extension
Walmart
Publication date: March 13, 2014
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