Winter injury can also cause plants to appear stunted but there will be discoloration in the plant crown that is not present with red stele. Select a well drained planting site with loamy soil. Purchase resistant plants from reputable growers. Resistance to red stele disease is a relative term, however. There are at least five distinct biological races of the causal fungus and all varieties of strawberries are not resistant to all races of the fungus.
Resistant varieties are an effective means of control.
The exact cause of this root rot is not known. Any condition that causes root injury or generally weakens plants will produce symptoms of black root rot. Plants may wilt, appear stunted, or die outright. The leaves may turn purplish with red petioles. By the second growing season, the main, or perennial roots, of a healthy strawberry plant become woody.