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Pay close attention to controlling botrytis cinerea
In recent weeks, prolonged periods of low temperatures, overcast skies, and reduced sunlight have led to a widespread outbreak of Botrytis cinerea in greenhouses. This fungal disease has affected a wide range of crops, including tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, kidney beans, celery, leeks, and strawberries. The damage has been significant, with some greenhouses experiencing notable reductions in yield.
**Symptoms**
Botrytis cinerea primarily targets the upper parts of plants, such as leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits. The disease often begins on lower leaves, petals, and fruits near the ground, and then spreads to other areas. Fruits are typically the most affected, showing symptoms at the base of the fruit stalk or umbilicus. Initially, the affected areas appear pale, soft, and water-soaked, spreading rapidly. A characteristic gray mold layer forms on the surface. Infected petals turn brown and rot, covered with a dense layer of gray mold. When stems and branches become infected, irregular grayish-white or brown lesions develop, with the formation of a moldy substance. As the infection progresses, the upper parts of the stems may wilt and die. On leaves, the disease usually starts from the edges and expands in a "V" shape, forming large light brown to yellow-brown lesions, all covered with a gray mold layer.
**Causes**
The disease is caused by a fungus that survives in the soil or on infected plant debris. It spreads through wind, rain, irrigation water, and human activities. High humidity, low temperatures, and insufficient light create ideal conditions for the development of gray mold. Prolonged cloud cover, moderate temperatures, high humidity, and poor ventilation lead to increased condensation, which favors the spread of the pathogen. Botrytis cinerea is a weak parasite that infects wounds, aging tissues, or dead parts of the plant. The flowering stage is the peak period for infection, and artificial spread can occur during watering and fruit development.
**Prevention and Control**
1. Ensure proper ventilation in greenhouses to reduce humidity.
2. Water only on sunny mornings using drip irrigation. After infection occurs, control watering to minimize condensation on the roof and leaf surfaces, and avoid wetting the leaf margins.
3. Clean the greenhouse roof to improve light penetration.
4. Remove and dispose of infected flowers, fruits, and leaves promptly.
5. Apply a fungicide solution by dipping. Mix 0.1% of 50% acetaminophen wettable powder with 2,4-D or anti-dropping agent, and apply it to the flowers.
6. During overcast days, use 10% quick-silver smoke agent (300 grams per acre) or 5% Garnett dust (1 kg per acre), applying it every 9–11 days for 2–3 times.
7. At the early stages of infection, spray 65% KedeLing WP (1000x), 50% Kaiser Water Dispersible Granules (1500x), or 50% acetaminophen WP (1500x). Apply every 7–10 days, repeating 2–3 times, and alternate between different pesticides.
8. Low temperature and low light can weaken plant growth. To boost plant vitality, add high bioactive seaweed fertilizer like Fertivagra 1000x or chelated micro-fertilizer Stykopoop 1000x to enhance resistance and overall health.