Botrytis cinerea is a serious fungal disease that affects cucumbers and a wide range of other vegetables, including squash, melons, tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplants. Among these, zucchini is particularly vulnerable, often suffering more severe damage than cucumbers. The disease primarily targets the leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits, leading to symptoms such as rotting seedlings, burnt foliage, and moldy fruit. A characteristic gray or brown fuzzy layer forms on infected areas, which can spread rapidly under favorable conditions.
The infection typically begins through the female flowers, causing petal decay and the formation of a light gray-brown mold. From there, it spreads to young fruits, resulting in water-soaked spots, wilting, softening, and eventual rot. The affected melons may stop growing, develop a rotten head, and eventually decay entirely. On the stems and leaves, lesions often start at the leaf tips, appearing water-soaked and later turning light gray-brown. In some cases, a brownish layer develops in the center of the lesions, creating large, distinct patches with sharp edges. A thin layer of gray mold may also appear on the surface. Severe infections can cause stem rot, leading to vine breakage and plant death.
To manage Botrytis cinerea, an integrated approach combining ecological control and chemical treatments is recommended. Ecological methods include maintaining good ventilation, controlling humidity, and using reflective materials to improve light levels inside greenhouses. Before planting, it's essential to thoroughly clean the area, removing all diseased plants, leaves, and fruits, and properly disposing of them by burning or burying. Organic fertilizer should be well-rotted and covered with plastic to ensure full decomposition before application. Deep plowing to 30 cm helps reduce initial pathogen levels.
In greenhouses, applying copper-based sprays like 86.2% Master Copper WP (1200 times dilution) before planting can help prevent infection. Afterward, closing the greenhouse for several days and raising temperatures to 55–60°C during midday can effectively kill pathogens. Maintaining proper humidity levels and covering the ground with plastic film are also crucial. During the day, increasing light exposure by opening coverings early and ventilating when temperatures rise to 35–40°C helps reduce moisture. At night, covering the greenhouse with insulating materials can lower humidity further.
Chemical control options include using smoke agents or dusts in the early stages of infection. Products like 40% Baixu Smoke Agent, 45% Chlorothalonil Smoke Agent, and 10% Procymidone Smoke Agent are effective. These should be applied at a rate of 250–350 g per acre for 4–6 hours, repeated every 7 days for 2–3 times. Dusts such as 10% Trichoderma or 10% Polyamine Dust can also be used, applied once every 8–10 days after closing the greenhouse.
During the early flowering stage, treatments like 500-fold diluted Baoguo Ling, 2500-fold diluted Baofengling, or 1250-fold diluted Securit mixed with 0.1% of 50% Sulfuron or 50% Eupatorin can be applied directly to female flowers. For early disease prevention, alternating between fungicides such as 50% SucloCorp WP (1500–2000 times), 50% Acetamiprid WP (1000–1500 times), or 50% Benomyl WP (1000 times) is recommended, with applications every 7–10 days for 2–3 cycles.
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