By Blake Jackson
A significant development in Pennsylvania agriculture empowers strawberry growers to combat fungal diseases with greater precision. Previously, relying solely on general weather forecasts left farmers vulnerable to outbreaks of grey mold (Botrytis spp.) and anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.) These destructive pathogens flourish under specific weather conditions.
The Northeast Weather Association (NEWA) has addressed this challenge by creating innovative strawberry disease models. Leveraging data from a network of weather stations across the state, these models predict infection risk with a high degree of accuracy.
By incorporating a 5-day forecast and current weather observations, the models provide a 24-hour risk assessment. Armed with this vital information, farmers can now strategically target fungicide applications, optimizing resource use and safeguarding their crops.
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Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables