Strawberry Virus Detection, Identification, Best Management Practice Recommendations and Information Dissemination

In fall 2012, several strawberry producers in Southeastern Virginia experienced abnormal growth patterns in their newly transplanted strawberry crop.  Roy Flanagan, Extension Agent-ANR, received multiple calls from concerned growers regarding the issue of stunted, discolored and in some cases, completely necrotic strawberry plants.   Initial strawberry plant samples were collected and analyzed for plant and soil nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. Subsequent consultation with various plant specialists from Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon and Canada led to discussion of a possible virus complex that would yield the plant symptoms being observed in our local strawberry fields.  Dr. Bob Martin with USDA/ARS, Corvallis, Oregon, agreed to process samples collected from farms located in and around Virginia Beach.   Strawberry plant samples were collected from local affected fields and included information on transplant source (i.e. plant origin was either Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia, Canada) and transplant cultivar (i.e. Albion, Camarosa, Camino Real, Chandler, Festival, San Andreas and Sweet Charlie).  In winter 2013, almost all sampled plants from the Nova Scotia source tested positive for Strawberry mild yellow edge virus (SMYEV) and strawberry mottle virus (SMoV).  Vital information regarding the discovered strawberry virus complex was sent out locally and statewide to all Virginia Cooperative Extension agents, in an effort to inform strawberry producers across Virginia.  Statewide strawberry plant samples were collected and tested to verify sample results previously analyzed from Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Suffolk, Virginia.  Statewide, symptomatic samples also tested positive for SMYEV and SMoV.