Researchers at North Carolina State University are stepping up work to manage Neopestalotiopsis — known as Neo-P — a fungal pathogen that has been affecting strawberry production since it was first confirmed in North Carolina in 2022, following earlier outbreaks in Florida. The pathogen can persist in the soil and poses a real threat to growers across the region.
The research push matters because Neo-P is not a new problem, but effective management tools have lagged behind its spread. Having it confirmed in two major East Coast strawberry states makes it a supply chain concern, not just a field-level one.
Worth monitoring as the research develops — any advances in detection or treatment protocols could influence sourcing decisions for buyers who rely on Southeast strawberry supply, particularly during the windows when California production softens.