Managing Botrytis

Many growers experience infections caused by the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea during the late winter and throughout the spring months. Botrytis or Botrytis blight is particularly problematic for growers during this time of year since the environmental conditions are frequently conducive for disease development. Botrytis commonly occurs on crops such as perennials which are being over-wintered or on actively growing plants inside greenhouses.

The damaged tissue first appears as tan to brown water-soaked areas that become gray as they dry out. Botrytis is most commonly identified by the fuzzy gray or brown spore masses that develop on infected plant parts (this disease is also commonly referred to as gray mold). Infected flowers usually show small pin-prick type lesions or water-soaked areas, which enlarge rapidly and turn to a brown or black coloration.

To see the full article go to the BASF website.