Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is a ubiquitous necrotrophic pathogen causing grey mould in economically important crops. Light effect in horticulture is undeniable and fungi also react to light. Selected specific light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photoperiods can be used for fungal pathogen inhibition. This study aimed to evaluate how LED light wavelengths and photoperiods affect the growth parameters of B. cinerea. The morphological (mycelium appearance, sclerotia distribution) and phenotypic (conidia presence and size, mycelium growth rate, recovery) characteristics of the fungal pathogen B. cinerea were evaluated under royal blue 455 nm, blue 470 nm, cyan 505 nm, yellow 590 nm, and red 627 nm LED lights at various photoperiods (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 h). The results revealed that the light conditions and photoperiods influenced the B. cinerea morphological and phenotypic characteristics. Overall, the highest B. cinerea inhibition was under yellow (590 nm) LED light at 4 and 8 h photoperiods. Conidia did not form under blue 455 nm at 8, 16, 20, and 24 h photoperiods. Therefore, it can be assumed that the phenotypic and morphological features of B. cinerea depend on the specific photoperiod and LED light wavelength. The results allowed an exploration of original research approaches, raised new scientific questions for further investigation, and suggested new green plant protection solutions.
Highlights
Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr., which causes grey mould, is an important plant pathogen with a significant impact on a broad range of plants and yield rots as well as decreasing postharvest qualities [1,2,3,4]
The B. cinerea isolates exposed to different light-emitting diodes (LEDs) light wavelengths and photoperiods showed differences in the morphological and phenotypic characteristics
The research of this paper reflects global trends, relevant pathogen controls, and management methods based on food safety and sustainable agriculture principles
Summary
Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr., which causes grey mould, is an important plant pathogen with a significant impact on a broad range of plants and yield rots as well as decreasing postharvest qualities [1,2,3,4]. B. cinerea is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen that infects more than 596 various plant genera. It infects plants, causing grey mould, and infects various plant parts such as the flowers, petioles, fruit, leaves, and stems and often starts early as blossom blight. B. cinerea, as a broad host range pathogen, causes pre- and postharvest losses [1,5,6]. Botrytis spp. causes losses, depending on the pathogen development after harvest, through the entire postharvest chain [2]. B. cinerea is considered to be the second most important plant pathogen [3]
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