Botrytis Gray Mold Pressure Increasing With Humid Weather

Moderate to warm temperatures with frequent rains early this month have contributed to more incidents of infection in fall raspberries, says Annemiek Schilder of Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences.

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Schilder suggests practicing proper sanitation with the removal of overripe and rotting berries to reduce the rate of infection.

Botrytis cinerea is favored by prolonged moisture and high humidity at temperatures of approximately 60-75°F. The infection starts with a spore landing on the fruit. The spore germinates when the berry remains wet for more than eight to 12 hours from rain or dew. Fall weather promotes infection due to more frequent dew and rain events. However, high relative humidity greater than 93% over a period of several days may also be sufficient for infection to occur,” she writes in this bulletin.

Visit this link to read about recommended control and sanitation methods.

Source: Michigan State University Extension bulletin

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