Josselyn Gabriela Calidonio, M.S. Student at Clemson University, is researching the effectiveness of different disease management agents for Botrytis in floriculture crops. Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is a major disease that affects many floriculture crops. Weekly, preventative fungicide applications have been the main strategy for Botrytis management, but this has led to fungicide resistance development.
The use of antagonistic fungi and bacteria has become popular and offers a sustainable disease management option. In our project, we are screening 20 compounds, such as biological control agents, plant nutrients, plant extracts, and systemic acquired inducers to observe their effectivity against gray mold in petunias, roses, and gerbera daisies.
Source: floriculturealliance.org