Botrytis cinerea, commonly known as gray mold, is one of the most widespread and damaging fungal diseases affecting horticultural, fruit, and ornamental crops.

It thrives in humid conditions with poor air circulation and can cause significant economic losses if not managed promptly.

Key symptoms:

· Gray, fuzzy mold on leaves, stems, flowers, or fruits

· Soft brown spots or rotting tissue

· Rapid decay, especially in mature or injured fruits

· High humidity and low ventilation

· Wounds on plant tissue (due to pruning, hail, or pests)

· Presence of dead or decaying plant matter

Best practices for prevention and control:

· Prompt removal of infected plant parts

· Avoid overhead irrigation—water at the base

· Prune and space plants to improve airflow

· Use natural solutions (baking soda, propolis, horsetail extract) or approved fungicides where necessary

Early detection is critical. Timely intervention can prevent local infections from becoming widespread outbreaks.

Want to know more?

Thanks to the manual developed in the KICRO project, growers can learn not only about downy mildew, but also about many other grapevine diseases and how to prevent them.