Evaluation of products for the control of Botrytis fruit rot in annual strawberry, 2024-25

Botrytis fruit rot, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is a major disease of strawberry. Symptoms include soft rot, accompanied by collapse of parenchyma tissues and water saturation. This study evaluated the efficacy of conventional and biorational fungicide treatments for managing Botrytis fruit rot. Trials were conducted on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) of ‘Florida Brilliance’ using bare-root transplants planted in October 2024. All treatments, except a few biorationals, significantly reduced disease incidence. The most effective treatments also resulted in the highest yields, demonstrating the importance of targeted fungicide programs guided by infection risk forecasting tools like the Strawberry Advisory System.