• Quae

Botrytis cinerea Pers. (1794)

Grey mould

 

- classification : Fungi, Ascomycota, Leotiomycetes, Leotiomycetidae, Helotiales, Sclerotiniaceae
- synonym : Botryotinia fuckeliana (de Bary) Whetzel (1945) (teleomorph)
- English names : Grey mould, Botrytis leaf spot


Botrytis cinerea is a highly polyphagous fungus observed in all tobacco production areas of the world. Generally, it is not considered to be a serious pathogen on this crop, except occasionally in some nurseries.

 
Figure 1 Figure 2


In France, the situation was roughly the same until the development of floating seedbed tecniques when it significantly changed (figures 1 and 2). In this production system, the condition of plants (succulent and sometimes etiolated with senescent leaves) and the frequently humid environment allowed the development of Botrytis cinerea. It has become a feared nursery parasite, which now requires preventive fungicide treatments and consideration of fungicide resistance expressed by some of its strains. It also may occur during wet weather sometimes accompanying harvesting and curing of tobacco.
Last change : 02/13/18
  • Author :
  • D Blancard (INRAe)