Botrytis prefers low-temperature and high-humidity environments. Greenhouses with high humidity and suitable temperatures will become the best breeding ground for it if the ventilation is not timely.
Below, let's learn how to effectively prevent and control gray mold and protect crops from surviving the winter safely.
How to identify gray mold?
Botrytis gray mold widely damages a variety of crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, leeks, lettuce, etc. The disease usually starts from the ends of leaves or wounds on plants, and initially water-soaked lesions will form on the leaves. If left untreated, it will soon be discovered that the diseased spots are covered with a layer of gray mold, causing tissue to rot and die, causing serious economic losses to agricultural production.
Specific prevention and control measures
1. Enhance ventilation
Ensuring air circulation in the greenhouse can effectively reduce humidity and reduce the chance of gray mold development. Choose appropriate ventilation when the weather is good, but avoid direct damage to plants by cold wind.
2. Remove sick and disabled bodies
Timely removal and destruction of diseased remains and weeds is an effective way to reduce the spread of germs.
3. Reasonable irrigation
Try to avoid large-area leaf irrigation. It is recommended to use drip irrigation or furrow irrigation to reduce the humidity of the leaf surface, thereby reducing the occurrence of gray mold.
4. Control planting density
Appropriately adjust the spacing between plants to avoid overcrowding in the greenhouse and resulting in lack of air circulation, which will also help reduce the spread of diseases.
