Managing Neopestalotiopsis in NC Strawberries

The North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., in partnership with NC State University, will lead a project to evaluate fungicide and biocontrol strategies for managing Neopestalotiopsis, a destructive fungal disease in strawberries. Field trials, artificial inoculations, and economic assessments will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team. This project will generate data on disease control efficacy, yield impact, and profitability, ultimately providing transitioning tobacco farmers and strawberry growers with sustainable, science-based disease management tools to support the economic viability of strawberry production in rural North Carolina.