-13- 34. Howard, C. M. 1984. Brown Cap. p 78. In Compendium of Strawberry Diseases, J. L. Maas, Editor. American Phytopath. oc., St. Paul, Minn. 138 pp. Brown cap is not a fruit rot, but it affects the marketability of strawberry fruits. Caps that are killed by any agent become dry, shriveled, and unattractive. Most of the organisms that cause leaf spots and many of those that cause fruit rots can also cause brown cap. In addition to these organisms, low humidity accompanied by wind can cause death of the caps and subsequent development of brown cap (see also Leaf Scorch). 35. Howard, C. M. 1984. Anther and Pistil Blight. p 78. In Compendium of Strawberry Diseases, J. L. Maas, Editor. American Phytopath. Soc., St. Paul, Minn. 138 pp. Anther and pistil blight occurs when Rhizoctonia fragariae Husain and McKeen attacks unopened flower buds. This disease varies widely in severity. In some flowers, some or all of the anthers are destroyed and appear dark brown, but the pistils appear normal when the flowers open. Destruction of the anthers results in destruction of the pollen in these flowers; however, they can produce normal fruits after being fertilized by pollen from healthy flowers. In more severe infections, some of the pistils are also attacked. When these flowers first open, the anthers are dark brown and part of the pistillate area of the flower appears smooth and devoid of pistils. These flowers produce fruits with varying degrees of deformity, depending on the number of pistils destroyed. In still other flowers, all anthers and pistils are destroyed before the buds open; the entire centers of these flowers are black, and they resemble flowers with freeze damage. 36. Howard, C. M., and E. E. Albregts. 1984. Anthracnose. In Compendium of Strawberry Diseases, J. L. Maas, Editor. American PhytopaTh. Soc., St. Paul, Minn. 138 pp. Anthracnose diseases are caused by fungi that produce their asexual spores in acervuli, including species of Gloeosporium and Colletotrichum. Several species or biotypes of these fungi cause anthracnose of strawberry fruits (see Anthracnose Fruit Rots), stolons, petioles, leaves (see Black Leaf Spot), and crowns. The most serious anthracnose disease of strawberry kills plants, causes fruit rot, and reduces runner plant production. This disease, caused by C. fragariae A. N. Brooks, occurs in the southeastern United Statesm frBi Florida and North Carolina to Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, and has been reported in Argentina, Brazil, India, Mexico, and South Africa. It has been a serious problem in summer plant production nurseries and fruit production fields in Florida and other southeastern states. 37. Howard, C. M., A. J. Overman, J. F. Price, and E. E. Albregts. 1986. Diseases, Nematodes, Mites, and Insects affecting strawberries in Florida. Univ. of Fla. Expt. Sta. Bull. No. 857. 41 pp. Strawberry plants are grown in all months of the year in Florida in plant nurseries during the winter, spring, summer, and early fall, and in fruit production fields in the fall, winter, and spring. The warm, humid climate of the state that permits year-round growth of plants in the field is also ideal for the development of a large number of diseases and pests on the crop as environmental conditions become favorable for their activity. Growers must be concerned about growing disease-and pest-free plants that will be used for fruit production or for establishing new nurseries.