We will probably not have a label for Stinger for strawberries this year, but hope for one by 2002. We can no longer use Ronilan on strawberries. Fortunately, we have permanent labels for the use of Elevate, Captan, and Thiram for fruit rot control in strawberries. We had hoped for a permanent label for the use of Switch in strawberries this year, but some concerns about plant-back issues will delay the process indefinitely. All berry crops have received a label for a material called Messenger.
Messenger is a unique material in that it has no direct pesticidal activity.
The only work with Messenger on berries has been on strawberries. WSU Plant Pathologist, Pete Bristow tried it on a planting of 'Hood' strawberries for botrytis control and had disappointing results. I understand it has been tested in California against botrytis and powdery mildew in strawberries with mixed results. Researchers at OSU and WSU will probably continue evaluating Messenger. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries have been granted a 24c label for the use of Rally.