-3 - 



From the data it is obvious that the oontrclled atmosphere apples 

 were in much better condition than the cold storage Mcintosh^ That the 

 controlled atmosphere apples were somethii^ extra could be seen very simply» 

 They had a much brighter color than cold storage Hclntosht. Also, they iwere 

 readily sold for at least $1»,00 more than similar cold storage apples were 

 bringing, 



F, Vif, Southwick 



RED STELE STEALS YOUR INCOME 



■■^■— ■ ™ »■ ■ " ■■' ■ I I I ■ ■!»■■■■ I Mil— .W^^— — ^ 



Have you had a run-in -mith the Red Stele disease in strawberries? If 

 so, you'll understand why Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, and other states 

 consider it their most serious strawberry disease, A relative newcomer to 

 the list of plant pests. Red Stele was first seen in Scotland in I92O9 In 

 193^ Illinois reported it for the first time in this countryc The disease 

 now bothers growers in about 28 states — including Massachusetts -where it 

 has been seen in several parts of the State in the past 5~6 years 5 



HovT to reco^^nize Red Stele ?; 



In March and April ? Carefully dig a fev^ plants and slice lengthwise 

 through the thickest roots. The inner core of the root through which the 

 soil water moves is called the stele of the root* YiThen the disease is present 

 the stele becomes red in color which is easily seen by the naked eye 



Later in the Spring ;: The diseased roots die and become brown in color, 

 masking the reddness of "the stele « This rotting appearance of the root- 

 ends is often described as the "rat- tail" symptoms « 



By observing the leaves t In vret seasons the young leaves often become 

 dull-green, later turning to red and followed by severe vrilting of the foliage 

 and, usually, the death of the plant. 



Does death of the plant always occu r? Wo — but the yield is drastically 

 reduced to low-grade fruit on stunted and discolored plants. Plants affected 

 in the Spring often recover during the sumrner by the formation of new roots— 

 but next Spring the disease strikes again. The organism responsible is a 

 microscopic fungus viiich thrives in moist cool Spring weather in a tempera- 

 ture range 32-60 degrees F, and spreads by "swimming" through moist soil© 

 The fungus will live in fertile soils for many years and therefore will not 

 be controlled by crop rotations, 



Yifhat to do about it ? 



On soil infested, with Red Stele; At present the only satisfactory 

 answer is the planting of resistant varieties. Several varieties are knomi 

 to be resistant. To complicate matters, research workers are finding that 

 different types or "races" of the disease erist, indicating that a variety 

 may be resistant in one grovring area and not resistant elsewhere. 



For Massachusetts the present recommendations for Red Stele resistant 

 varieties include; Pathfinder , Fairland , Red Crop (trial), Temple, 

 Verinilion (trial), and Spa rkl e» For other strawberry variety information 

 see Fruit Notes September Ib7"l9^3 or ask for Special Circular #212-D, 



