Integrated Management of Gray Mold Disease

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea, is one of the most important postharvest diseases on fresh fruits and vegetables worldwide. The disease may start in the field and remain as a latent infection and then develop after harvest, during transportation, packaging, storage and marketing. Nowadays, application of fungicides is the main strategy to control the gray mold disease in conventional agriculture. The presence of fungicide residues in edible fruits and vegetables is a concern for consumers because pesticides are known to have potential harmful effects. Therefore, the search on finding the safe and effective disease control strategies has been accelerated. Integrated management of the disease by using some methods like optimal method of irrigation and fertilization, biological control, use of bioagents, disinfection of fresh fruits and vegetables after harvesting, storing and shipping in a cool and dry condition with low humidity and suitable ventilation are suggested.