Post-harvest botrytis infection: Etiology, development and management
Authors :
Droby, Samir
;
.
Lichter, Amnon
;
.
Co-Authors:
Droby, S., Department of Postharvest Science, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Lichter, A., Department of Postharvest Science, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
Botrytis is regarded as the most important post-harvest fungal pathogen that causes significant losses in fresh fruits, vegetables and ornamentals. Its ability to attack a wide range of crops in a variety of modes of infection and its ability to develop under conditions prevailing during storage, shipment and marketing make its control a challenge. Harvested crops are particularly vulnerable to Botrytis infection because unlike vegetative tissue harvested commodities are senescing rather than developing. Control of Botrytis on harvested crops has relied mainly on pre-harvest chemical fungicides for reducing inoculum density and incipient infections before harvest. Control programmes were developed specifically for each crop and largely depend on epidemiological and etiological information. The future of many of these chemicals, however, is now doubtful and their use has come under scrutiny. This is due to severe restrictions and regulations imposed especially on post-harvest chemical treatments for the majority of freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. To develop better and more efficient methods for controlling post-harvest Botrytis rot it is essential to understand the relationship between infection of various plant parts in the field and incidence of grey mould in storage. This relationship has still not been fully elucidated in tomato, kiwifruit, strawberry, grapes and roses. These crops are discussed in this chapter as examples for different research strategies to tackle the problem. It is concluded that control methods based on holistic strategies which incorporate modelling and prediction systems, early detection techniques, biological and physical methods, and cultural practices, should be tailored to meet the demands of each crop. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
More details
DOI :
10.1007/978-1-4020-2626-3_19
Last updated date:
02/03/2022 17:27
Creation date:
16/04/2018 23:38