Survey of Charcoal Rot Disease of Strawberry in Maharashtra

Charcoal rot disease, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina, poses a significant threat to strawberry cultivation in Maharashtra, India. This study highlights critical factors contributing to disease spread, including climate variables, soil characteristics and farming practices. We propose a comprehensive set of recommendations for improved disease management, aiming to enhance strawberry production and economic outcomes for farmers in Maharashtra.

This study presents an extensive survey of charcoal rot incidence, severity and management practices in the region. Through rigorous field surveys conducted across 100 strawberry farms during 2020 - 2022 laboratory analyses of 2000 plant samples and detailed interviews with 300 local farmers, we identified the prevalence of the disease, its impact on yield and quality and the effectiveness of current management strategies.

Our findings reveal that 47% of surveyed farms reported charcoal rot incidence, with an average Disease Severity Index of 3.4 on a 5-point scale. Affected farms experienced yield reductions of 18-35% and significant decreases in fruit quality, with economic losses estimated at 150,000-400,000 per hectare. Chemical treatments and crop rotation are commonly employed, their effectiveness varies considerably. Integrated disease management practices showed the most promise in reducing disease severity, with a 40% reduction in DSI compared to conventional methods.