Biocontrol of powdery mildew by Penicillium oxalicum in open-field nurseries of strawberries

Biological control of powdery mildew on strawberry leaves by Penicillium oxalicum applications was achieved on different cultivars and lines in growth chambers and in open-field nurseries. Growth chamber conditions were more conducive to the development of natural infection of powdery mildew on the various cultivars and lines than plants cultivated in open-field nurseries. Penicillium oxalicum-treated strawberry cultivars and lines showed a significant reduction in the amount of powdery mildew in growth chamber (except for Ventana) and open-field nursery experiments. These results indicate that P. oxalicum may be an effective treatment for biological control of strawberry powdery mildew in open-field nurseries of strawberries.