The effects of soil management and fungicides on the development of grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) of strawberries

Abstract

The incidence of grey mould (Botrytis cinerea Fr.) in Red Gauntlet strawberries growing under a clean cultivation system of soil management was reduced by the use of fungicides captan 0.1 per cent and dichloran 0.2 per cent. Dichloran was phytotoxic, and when applied as a soil drench, reduced yields. With straw mulch and black polyethylene mulch systems of management, there was no reduction in incidence of grey mould through the use of fungicides, but the level of grey mould was lower than with the clean cultivation system. The lower incidence of grey mould under the mulch systems is attributed to the absence of direct contact of the fruit with soil vegetation debris invaded with Botrytis. Polyethylene mulch resulted in earlier cropping than the other management systems. Total yields were the same with polyethylene mulch and clean cultivation, and were lower with straw mulch.