Strawberries and Caneberries

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Tractor in the experimental plot infested with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae.

Moving pathogens in infested soil on equipment

April 15, 2020
Mark here - hey folks this concept of transmitting fungal inoculum from field to field on people's feet and equipment has been one I've been talking about for a while, and now here you have the scientific evidence from some of our finest scientists at the UC.
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Working from Home but Not Worse for Wear

March 23, 2020
By Mark P Bolda
As with my other colleagues from the UCCE, I am working from home to comply with the state order to shelter in place. Doesn't mean I have to not enjoy the time here in the house, for example take a look at the tasty fruity chocolate strawberry snack my wife and I shared yesterday.
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Lewis mite from strawberry field in the vicinity of San Andreas Road. Note how spots run the length of the body and somewhat geometric appearance of the body. Also smaller when compared to twospotted mites.

So This is Lewis Mite

March 19, 2020
By Mark P Bolda
Thanks to some sharp eyed grower colleagues - and well equipped with some impressive hand lens and field microscopes I might add - I got my hands on some good Lewis mites and was able get some pictures. Truly, these do look different than twospotted spider mite.
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