Effect of Ground Cover on Splash Dispersal of Phytophthora cactorum from Strawberry Fruits

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Abstract
A rain simulator was used to investigate the influence of various ground covers (soil, straw, sand, and plastic) on splash dispersal of Phytophthora cactorum, the cause of leather rot of strawberry. Potted strawberry plants were held in a concentric circle by a wood frame, 30 cm from an inoculum source of 10 infected fruits with sporulating lesions. The canopy was exposed to 15 and 30 min of generated rain at intensities of 15 and 30 mm/h. Plastic mulch had the highest resulting fruit disease, incidence (e.g., ca. 80% of fruit infected at 30 min duration and 15 mm/h rain), followed by soil and sand (36–47%), then straw (ca. 15%). Except for straw, there was lower incidence at 30 than at 15 mm/h. There was a general increase in disease incidence over time.