Macrophomina phaseolina (Mp) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae (Fof) are emerging soilborne pathogens causing crown rot and Fusarium wilt, respectively, in commercial strawberry production in California. Fungicides representing eight active ingredients from four different mode of action groups (FRAC groups 1, 3, 7 and 12) were evaluated for their efficacy against each pathogen in vitro and each disease in planta. Fungicide active ingredients were evaluated for their ability to inhibit mycelial growth of both pathogens in vitro. Half-strength potato dextrose agar was amended with six different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 10, 50 µg a.i./ml) of seven fungicides in FRAC groups 3, 7 and 12. Concentrations that inhibited fungal growth by 75% (EC75) compared to unamended media were determined for two different isolates each of Mp and Fof and were used to determine fungicide rates for subsequent in planta studies. Tebuconazole strongly inhibited the mycelial growth of both pathogens (average EC75 for Mp was 2.4 ppm; average EC75 for Fof was 7.48 ppm), as did metconazole (average EC75 for Mp was2.53 ppm; average EC75 for Fof was 1.28 ppm). Fludioxonil strongly inhibited mycelial growth of Mp, but had no impact on the growth of Fof. Penthiopyrad, fluopyram, flutriafol, and flutolanil were less effective at inhibiting fungal growth of either fungus. Greenhouse in planta studies evaluated twenty-four fungicide treatments (eight fungicides at low, med and high rates) that were drench applied to infested potting media two days prior to planting of pathogen susceptible strawberry cultivars (San Andreas for Mp and Monterey for Fof) and again at day 21. Controls were a non-inoculated and an inoculated water-drench treatment. Buried inoculum was recovered at days 2 and 23 and plated on selective media for colony forming unit (CFU) quantification. Plant disease assessments were made each week for 11 weeks. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) of CFUs revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) among treatments and when compared to the non-treated control for both Mp and Fof, but showed significant decreases (p < 0.05) in CFUs between weeks 1 and 3 for both Mp and Fof. An ANOVA for disease assessments in the form of area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) showed significant decreases of disease severity in treatments with penthiopyrad only (low, medium and high rates) (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in AUDPC among treatments and when compared to the non-inoculated and no-fungicide controls for Fof. The data indicates that these fungicides used alone are not effective against these pathogens in planta. A strawberry plant extract (germination stimulant) was assessed for its ability to stimulate germination of Mp microsclerotia in vitro and in planta. The germination stimulant was applied as a drench at six different concentrations (0, 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 and 30,000 ppm) to soil containing filter disk packets of microsclerotia of Mp at day 0 and 14. Filter disk packets were retrieved three days after the drench and microsclerotia were observed microscopically for germination. Results showed that the number of germinating microsclerotia was significantly higher after the application of the germination stimulant compared to non-drench and 0 ppm controls (p < 0.001). An integrated container trial was also conducted using the germination stimulant at 10,000 ppm applied three days prior to a fungicide drench with tebuconazole or thiophanate-methyl to determine the effect of fungicides on the germinated microscleotia. The use of the germination stimulant with label rates of the fungicides lowered the number of germinated intact microsclerotia significantly (p < 0.001) especially after two drench applications. The use of the germination stimulant with fungicides could be investigated further as one method for controlling soilborne diseases of strawberry.

Tyrophagus putrescentiae, known as the ham mite, is the most difficult pest to control in the dry-cured ham industry. Food-grade propylene glycol coated nets have been studied as an alternative to conventional mite infestation treatments but were heavy and costly to ship. This study aimed to increase the ease of use of the coated nets via drying. Three drying treatments: oven dried for 7 min (OD7m), oven dried for 20 min (OD20m), and counter dried for 24 h (CD24h), were tested to determine the efficacy at controlling mites as well as the mechanical properties of the nets and sensory characteristics of ham wrapped in the treated nets. The OD7m and CD24h treatments were effective at controlling mite growth in a laboratory setting. The drying treatments did not affect the mechanical properties, or the sensory characteristics of the hams wrapped with the dried net treatments.

Methyl bromide (MBr) was widely used as a soil fumigant to manage soilborne pests in plasticulture vegetable production; however, it has been banned by the United Nations Environment Programme. Alternatives to MBr must be implemented to sustain fresh market tomato productivity. Possible MBr alternatives include new fumigant compounds, improved plastic mulch, and grafting. Methyl iodide (MeI) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) were tested as fumigant alternatives to MBr for the control of yellow nutsedge and soilborne pathogens of tomato. Virtually impermeable film (VIF) and totally impermeable film (TIF) were tested for fumigant retention and yellow nutsedge control in tomato. Grafting onto resistant rootstocks was tested for bacterial wilt and nematode management in tomato. In the absence of a soil fumigant, TIF suppressed yellow nutsedge better than VIF. TIF increased fumigant retention compared to VIF at similar application rates. Reduced fumigant application rates could be used in combination with TIF while maintaining fumigant concentrations, weed control, and crop yields comparable to greater use rates with VIF. Shank applied DMDS rates could be lowered to 281 L/ha under TIF from 468 L/ha under VIF; shank applied MeI application rates could be reduced to 56 L/ha under TIF compared to 93 L/ha under VIF and drip applied DMDS could be reduced from 561 L/ha under VIF film to 374 L/ha under TIF. Grafting susceptible commercial tomato cultivars onto resistant tomato hybrid rootstocks increased yields and plant survival in bacterial wilt infested fields. "Cheong Gang", "BHN 998", and "BHN 1054" were the best performing rootstocks for bacterial wilt resistance and tomato fruit yield in severely infested fields. Grafting increased tomato yield and decreased root galling from root-knot nematodes in an infested field. Hybrid rootstock "RST 106" resulted in the lowest root-knot nematode galling. In conclusion, TIF with reduced rates of DMDS or MeI is a viable MBr alternative for fresh market tomato production to retain effective doses of fumigant, manage yellow nutsedge and maintain yields. Grafting is an effective MBr alternative to manage bacterial wilt and root-knot nematode and maintain tomato yields. / Ph. D.