Brown Leaves on Strawberry Plants

Fruit yield can be significantly reduced by untreated disease.

Strawberry plants typically can be harvested in late spring and summer. The plants should be monitored for pests and disease, however, including the browning of leaves.

Cause

Strawberry leaves that appear to be brown are likely suffering from leaf blight. The spots of leaf blight originate as reddish in color, but evolve into a darker brown and soon overtake a large portion of the leaf.

Effects

Leaf blight is particularly destructive to older or weaker plants. The disease can cause the death of leaves and fruit, as well as produce rotting at the stem end of fruit.

Treatment

Prevent weed growth near strawberry plants and apply nitrogen fertilizer to reduce the chance of disease. Apply a fungicide spray to the entire plant in seven- to 10-day intervals to get rid of blight in the plant.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Strawberry Leaf Diseases