Pestalotiopsis impact on 2026 strawberry season

Hugo Chevalon, technical manager for the AOPn Fraises Framboises de France, discussed the progression of the 2026 strawberry season in relation to the fungal disease Pestalotiopsis. He noted that the overall intensity of attacks is similar to 2025, with a slight increase in some areas.

Southeast region most affected

The Southeast region of France is the most affected by Pestalotiopsis, as the main strawberry varieties grown there, such as Cléry, are highly sensitive to the pathogen. This sensitivity makes the region particularly vulnerable to the disease’s impact.

Early season conditions favor fungus

Chevalon explained that Pestalotiopsis develops particularly well in the early season, when harvests typically begin at the end of February. Cléry, one of the most affected varieties, is precisely in this early season, making it more susceptible to the fungus.

Heat impact unclear

Regarding the impact of intense heat in 2026 on Pestalotiopsis attacks, Chevalon noted that production in the most affected areas had already stopped before the heatwaves began. This timing limits the ability to assess how the heat influenced the disease's spread.

Growers adapting to three years of attacks

Strawberry growers are implementing new strategies in response to three years of strong Pestalotiopsis attacks and the time required for research to develop solutions. Chevalon estimates that the choice of strawberry varieties being produced is evolving, a trend observed in 2025 and reinforced in 2026.

Shift to less sensitive varieties

Producers are increasingly turning to varieties less sensitive to Pestalotiopsis while waiting for long-term solutions. However, Chevalon warned that these new varieties require different management techniques, and growers currently lack the experience needed to fully utilize their potential.

New network to track variety performance

To address this knowledge gap, the National Variety Observation Network, established in 2026, aims to accelerate the acquisition of data on how these new varieties perform. This network should help growers better understand and manage the new strawberry varieties in the future.