CULTURAL METHODS FOR CONTROLLING BOTRYTIS CINEREA IN STRAWBERRY

In a two-year period, post-harvest defoliation and finger harrowing were investigated as Botrytis control methods in two varieties.
In ‘Korona’, post-harvest defoliation increased marketable yield considerably, whereas in ‘Elsanta’ there was the opposite effect.
In both varieties, the percentage of berries infested with Botrytis at harvest was lower when plants had been defoliated the previous year.
In ‘Korona’ there was a significant increase in berry size, whereas ‘Elsanta’ did not respond similarly.
As far as finger harrowing is concerned, the two varieties responded very differently and the effects were not consistent between years.
In the first year of trial, finger harrowing caused a considerable yield reduction in ‘Korona’, whereas in the second year yields increased.
The effect on the percentage of berries infected with Botrytis was small but significant.
In ‘Elsanta’, however, no significant effects due to finger harrowing were recorded either year.

IV International Strawberry Symposium

H. Daugaard, B. Løschenkohl

Botrytis cinerea, finger harrowing, post-harvest defoliation

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.567.142