Botrytis Bunch Rot
Definition - What does Botrytis Bunch Rot mean?
Botrytis bunch rot is a disease mostly known as Botrytis cinerea or gray mold. It is a fast growing parasitic fungus that affects mostly grapes, and sometimes strawberries, tomatoes, cannabis and 200 other plant species. This disease is lethal because it stops fermentation before time, causing significant economical losses for vineyards and wineries. From this fungus, two kinds of infections are recorded: gray rot and noble rot.
WineFrog explains Botrytis Bunch Rot
Botrytis bunch rot is found in wounded plants since the wounds in plant parts lack nutrition, or immunity in plant terms, which the necrotrophic fungi attacks as a parasite. Wind, insects and other unintentional injurers are responsible for such wounds in plant parts. Botrytis bunch rot is found mostly in temperate and sub-tropical regions with high humidity climates. Suitable sanitation, ventilation and appropriate fungicide application are some recommended ways to control and manage this disease.
Gray rot, one of the two infections triggered by botrytis bunch rot, generally affects wet or humid conditions. This type of infection forces growers to get rid of infected bunches, making the grower incur a financial loss.
Noble rot, the other infection triggered by botrytis bunch rot, affects areas that go through extremely dry followed by extremely wet conditions. This type of infection in grapes in used to make specific sweet dessert wines.
