Effect of biological sprays on the incidence of grey mould, fruit yield and fruit quality in organic strawberry production

S. PROKKOLA,P. KIVIJÄRVI

doi:10.2137/145960607781635886

Abstract

Plant diseases, especially grey mould (Botrytis cinerea), may cause severe losses in organic strawberry production. In a two-year period, 20012002, the effects of different biological sprays on grey mould, the fruit yield and fruit quality of organically grown strawberry Jonsok were studied in field trials at MTT Agrifood Research Finland in Ruukki and Mikkeli. In Experiment 1 the biological sprays were seaweed, garlic and compost extracts, silicon and Trichoderma spp. on both trial sites. In Experiment 2, compost extract, Trichoderma spp. and Gliocladium catenulatum sprays were studied in Ruukki. The treatment time was chosen to control grey mould. The effect of different biological sprays on the incidence of grey mould and total and marketable yield was insignificant compared to the untreated control. In both years and in all trials the incidence of grey mould was low and rot occurred mainly in the latter part of the harvesting period, which may partly explain the small differences between treatments. Anyhow, despite of feasible biological control cultural control methods will be important to manage the fungus in organic strawberry production.;

Highlights

Introduction sppBINAB®TF-WP and BINAB®T Vector (Trichoderma polysporum ATCC 20475 and T.harzianum ATCC 20476) treatments were effective against grey mould on commercial strawberry farms in three European countries (Ricard and Jørgensen 2000).Seaweed extract, garlic extract, compost extract, silica and sprays of Trichoderma spp.and Gliocladium sp. were investigated in organic strawberry production over a two-year period in field experiments at two research stations of MTT Agrifood Research Finland
Harzianum ATCC 20476) treatments were effective against grey mould on commercial strawberry farms in three European countries
Grey mould infection of berries results in most cases from infection of the floral parts resulting in latent infection of the receptacles

Summary

Introduction

Introduction sppBINAB®TF-WP and BINAB®T Vector (Trichoderma polysporum ATCC 20475 and T.harzianum ATCC 20476) treatments were effective against grey mould on commercial strawberry farms in three European countries (Ricard and Jørgensen 2000).Seaweed extract, garlic extract, compost extract, silica and sprays of Trichoderma spp.and Gliocladium sp. were investigated in organic strawberry production over a two-year period in field experiments at two research stations of MTT Agrifood Research Finland. Were investigated in organic strawberry production over a two-year period in field experiments at two research stations of MTT Agrifood Research Finland. The effects of biocontrol agents on the incidence of grey mould, fruit yield and fruit quality were studied. It has been estimated that in Finland the yield in organic strawberry production is 20–50% lower than in conventional production because of diseases and pests (Piirainen et al 1999). Grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) is the disease, which causes the most severe losses in organic strawberry production. Average yield losses due to grey mould have been 3.7–27.5% in a number of organic or unsprayed trials depending on the cultivars and years. Potential yield losses in unsprayed fields can be as high as 55% (Martinsson 1988)

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