Botrytis gray mold of Kiwifruit is one of the most important and common kiwifruit diseases in the northern part of Iran.
Symptoms
the first and most obviose symptom of Botrytis gray mold disease is soft rot. this rot begins in the pre-existing wounds or base of flower. The infected tissues become dark, crushed and watery. White mycelium with brownish-gray spores of the causative agent of disease can be seen on the spots. the fungus that causes this disease and rot is called Botrytis cinerea.
Disease cycle
The Inoculum of causative agent of Botrytis gray mold injects plant through the rotting parts of flower when flowering ends. The fungus Botrytis requires moistyre to function and infect. The fungus may remain inactive for several months after entering the fruit and when the fruits are transferred to the fridge or storage room, they begin to injection. this infection occures on the cutting place of flower’s end or on the wounds on the skin of the fruit. Botrytis can continue to grow at zero degrees Celciuse and also pllute healthy fruits inside the store room. Infection of several fruits together causes them to stick together.
Control of Botrytis gray mold
If the Kiwifruits are highly infectious, treat Kiwifruit bushes at the start of flowering and the fruits after harvest with appropriate poisons.