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Identifying and Controlling Botrytis in Controlled Environment Tomato Production
Botrytis, also known as gray mold, is caused by a fungus known as Botrytis cinerea. This disease is known to be devastating to tomato crops grown in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). The fungus spreads rapidly when outdoor temperatures are cool and heating is used in the greenhouse.
June 2, 2021
Rutgers University has released an advisory on identifying and controlling Botrytis on controlled environment tomato production. Here are some of the most important things growers need to know.
About Botrytis
Botrytis, also known as gray mold, is caused by a fungus known as Botrytis cinerea. This disease is known to be devastating to tomato crops grown in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). The fungus spreads rapidly when outdoor temperatures are cool and heating is used in the greenhouse.
Botrytis is found everywhere and prefers to attack injured plant tissue, meaning any dying or dead tissue on the tomato crop is at high risk for infection.
Infection Symptoms
The fungus is known to attack the flowers, fruit, stems, and leaves of the crop, especially after the crop has been pruned. Infections can also occur in cracks and leaf scars. The spores remain dormant until they sense stress from the plant.
Lesions on stems can turn into concentric rings that wrap the stem, causing the crop to wilt.
How to Prevent the Spread
The fungus spores can remain dormant for about 12 weeks. The spores prefer a temperature of 64°F to 75°F with high humidity. Leaves do not need to be wet for an infection to occur.
Using a horizontal fan to maintain airflow and keeping humidity levels low can help mitigate any infection risk. This is especially important on warm summer days that are followed by cooler nights.
Be sure to keep your facilities clean from any organic debris. All pruning material should be removed immediately.
To learn more, click here.
Lead photo: Botrytis infection on tomato fruit, showing rotted tissue and spores. Photo: Shawn Butler, NCSU
VIDEO: Potato Seeds Made Without Soil With Little Help From Peru
Scientists say that in aeroponics technique, potato seeds are grown in mist environment. Potato seeds grown through this technology are free from soil-borne diseases. Potato Technology Centre has established three units which have the capacity to grow 10 lakh minitubers
Parveen Arora
Potato Technology Centre, (PTC) Shamgarh, in the district in collaboration with Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Shimla and International Potato Centre (CIP), Peru, has started producing potato seeds in the air with the help of aeroponic technique.
Scientists show a potato breed at Potato Technology Centre at Shamgarh village in Karnal district. Sayeed Ahmed
In this technique, there is no need for soil and other growing media like coco-peat for production. The scientists say that in aeroponics technique, potato seeds are grown in mist environment. They claim potato seeds grown through this technology are free from soil-borne diseases.
“We have started the process of growing minituber (potato seed) plants with the help of aeroponic technique. It is the latest technique for growing plants and potato seed production in an air or mist environment. There is no need for soil and this technology is free from soil-borne diseases,” said Dr Prem Chand Sindhu, Deputy Director, PTC, Shamgarh.
He maintained that they have established three units which have the capacity to grow 10 lakh minitubers in one crop cycle which is for three months. The scientists claimed that the production of seeds through this technique is much higher than conventional methods.
Dr Manish Sainger, the senior consultant at PTC, said that on an average, 30 minitubers and maximum 50-60 minitubers can be obtained from each plant. He said that through this technique, 7-10 times more minitubers can be obtained in comparison to conventional methods like net-house or open field.
About the technology, Dr Sainger said they planted tissue culture plants in the grow chambers which have pipes and nozzles for mist spray on the roots of the plant. “The roots of the plant hang in the air in the chamber and all the nutrients are provided through the mist, which consists of all the required elements for plant growth and tuberisation, periodically. The upper part of plant remains at the top of the chamber,” he added. He said that the size of minitubers is uniform at 3-4 gm.
Dr Sainger said it is easy to transport minitubers at minimal cost. “These seeds will be given to growers at subsidised rates by the Department of Horticulture. Later, seed growers will cultivate these seeds in the soil for the multiplication of seeds.”
Earn CEUs With Disease Management Starting September 28, 2020
Learn how to prevent and manage diseases in nurseries and greenhouses. Disease Management is the fourth course of the award-winning Greenhouse Online Training courses offered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension
By urbanagnews
September 2, 2020
University of Florida Greenhouse Training Online Courses
Learn how to prevent and manage diseases in nurseries and greenhouses. Disease Management is the fourth course of the award-winning Greenhouse Online Training courses offered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension.
This intermediate course is designed for growers with some experience and training and offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for many states in the United States. Topics covered include disease cycle, how to differentiate between a disease and other issues, organic and conventional disease management options, and how to safely apply and handle fungicides. The course is offered in English and Spanish.
The course is taught by Dr. Carrie Harmon, Director of the UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center in Gainesville, FL, and Executive Director of the National Plant Diagnostic Network. Growers in the course have described her as a “clear, concise and informative instructor” who help them “feel more capable identifying disease problems, and less intimidated by the disease books on the shelf.”
The course runs from September 28 to October 23, 2020, includes a personalized certificate of completion and has been approved for CEUs in several states. The cost is $US199 per participant, with discounts if you register 5 or more. The last day to register is October 5, 2020. Over 4 weeks, there are streaming video lessons, readings, and assignments (about 3-4 hours total commitment per week), which can be accessed at any time of day. Click here to register.
For more information, including discounts for registering multiple staff, email us at greenhousetraining@ifas.ufl.edu, or visit http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/.