Occurrence of Fusarium wilt and Twospotted Spider Mite under Plastic Mulched and Non-Plastic Mulched Bed in Hydroponic Culture of Strawberry

Abstract

Hydroponic strawberry culture system is increasing annually. Most of strawberry farmers use mulched bed in hydroponic culture and strawberry plants were transplanted in early September. After transplanting, Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae and twospotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae, can increase their occurrence under high temperature condition. Therefore, we conducted for comparison occurrence of Fusarium wilt and TSSM on mulched with green polyethylene film and non-mulched bed. Occurrence of Fusarium wilt on mulched bed was started from early October and more increase than non-mulched bed. Damage rate of TSSM on mulched bed was shown higher than non-mulched bed. Temperature of substrate in mulched bed increased than non-mulched bed, but relative humidity near plants was decreased. As a result, use of non-mulched bed should be effective for reducing of Fusarium wilt and TSSM on strawberry plants.

Keywords

• Disease index
• Fragaria x ananassa
• Non-mulched bed