What is a tick on strawberries? - briefly
The term «tick» describes a small, dark, sunken blemish on the fruit surface, typically resulting from spider‑mite feeding or early Botrytis infection. It indicates superficial damage and does not usually affect the edible interior.
What is a tick on strawberries? - in detail
The term «tick» on strawberries denotes a minute, sunken spot that originates on the fruit surface. It appears as a dark, often blackened point, typically 1–3 mm in diameter, and may be surrounded by a faint halo of discoloration. The lesion is the earliest visible sign of infection by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, which later progresses to soft rot if conditions remain favorable.
Development of the spot follows a predictable sequence. Initial colonization occurs when fungal spores land on wet skin, germinate, and penetrate the cuticle. Enzymes released by the pathogen degrade cell walls, creating the characteristic depression. Moisture, high humidity, and temperatures between 15 °C and 22 °C accelerate the process. Once formed, the lesion can expand, merging with adjacent spots and leading to extensive tissue breakdown.
Economic impact stems from reduced marketability. Even a single «tick» renders a berry unsuitable for fresh‑sale standards, prompting discarding or downgrading to processed‑fruit categories. Yield losses may reach 10 % in heavily infected crops, emphasizing the need for effective control measures.
Management strategies focus on prevention and early intervention:
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Cultural practices
• Maintain canopy airflow to lower humidity.
• Implement proper irrigation timing to avoid leaf wetness during night hours.
• Remove plant debris and infected fruit to reduce inoculum sources. -
Chemical control
• Apply registered fungicides targeting Botrytis spp. according to label intervals.
• Rotate active ingredients to prevent resistance buildup. -
Resistant cultivars
• Select varieties bred for reduced susceptibility to fruit rot, noting that complete immunity is rare. -
Monitoring
• Conduct regular scouting for the first appearance of «ticks».
• Record incidence levels to adjust treatment schedules promptly.
Understanding the biology of the lesion, its environmental drivers, and the integrated measures outlined above enables growers to mitigate losses and preserve fruit quality.