An Extensive Review of Strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa) Diseases and Integrated Management Approaches: Current Understanding and Future Directions

Abstract

Strawberry production has increased by more than double in the past two decades. Meanwhile, it is also susceptible to various diseases which have become a limiting factor in its yield increment. Indiscriminate use of chemicals in the management of diseases has brought several adverse effects to the environment and human health. Thus, this review aims to present the different diseases of strawberries including their epidemiology, disease cycle, and symptoms. Moreover, the focus has been given to integrated disease management. More than ten dozen of literature including journal articles, books, websites, and organizational reports were thoroughly reviewed to get the related information. Botrytis grey mold rot, anthracnose, strawberry leaf spot, powdery mildew, and red stele are the major fungal diseases whereas angular leaf spot is the serious bacterial disease of strawberry. It is severely infected by viruses such as strawberry mottle virus and crinkling and vein banding virus. In addition to this nematode causes ring spots, root-knot, and root lesions on strawberries. Integrated disease management approaches should be adopted for their effective and sustainable management. It may include the cultural methods, physical methods, use of bio-control agents, botanical fungicides, and at last chemicals if the disease is severe.