STRA1J3ERRY PIA'JTING STOCK 



The selection of planting stock to establish a strawberry bed is of major 

 importance. The disadvantages of poor planting stock can never be overcome. 



Within the past 15 years, virus-free plants for most of our common varieties 

 have been found. To kesp these plants free from virus and other disease and in- 

 sect pests requires many special practices. Foundation stock, knoxim to be free 

 of virus, is grovm in a screenhouse on fumigated soil and dusted regularly for 

 aphid and mite control. These plants are indexed regularly to ascertain their 

 continued freedom from virus and are also examined for red stele and other 

 injurious diseases. 



The planting stock available to the strawberry grov/er is one, two or three 

 years removed from this foundation stock and is gro\m in open fields. Though 

 many precautions such as regular dusting and isolation are taken, some of these 

 field-grOTm plants may become virus infected and as such cannot be considered com- 

 pletely virus-free. Though not completely virus-free, these plants are vastly 

 superior to the regular run of nursery plants and should be used when available. 



All of the varieties nov; recommended for commercial planting in Massachusetts 

 such as Earlidawn, Midland, Redglow, Surecrop, Catskill, Robinson, Sparkle, and 

 Armore, are available as "virus-free" plants. "Virus-free" planting stock of 

 Midway and Jerseybelle, tV70 varieties suggested for trial, is also available. 



The following table is offered as a guide for future variety selection to 

 those growers who have experienced trouble with verticillium wilt in past years. 



^^^Based on a scale in which indicates all plants apparently healthy and 100 

 all plants dead. 



Literature Cited 



1. Varney, E. H., J. N. Moore, and D. H. Scott. 1959. Field resistance of 



various strawberry varieties and selections to Verticillium. Plant Disease 

 Reporter 43:567-569. 



