Botrytis in Strawberries

Botrytis in Strawberries

1. Vincente et al, 2005

2. can be controlled with fungicides

   • eg fenhexamid

3. cannot be controlled post harvest as no sprays available

   • need to control preharvest
     • inoculum control
     • time of harvest
     • harvest handling
     • cooling
     • biological control
     • ethanol sprays
     • sodium bicarbonate

4. cultural controls

   • use healthy plants
     • passports
   • remove diseased crop
   • control condensation
     • prevent disease loving environment
   • avoid overhead irrigation
   • avoid high plant density
   • manage N
   • prevent soil contact
   • tunnels set east-west
     • prevailing west wind

5. cant improve bad fruit

6. biological control

   • fungal suppression
   • yeasts
     • suppress development

7. Novel methods

   • ethanol spray
     • 1hr before harvest reduces postharvest incidence
   • sodium bicarbonate
     • 1hr before harvest shows some reduction