BP-4-5-W

Botany and Plant Pathology

Plant Disease Control
Strawberry Gray Mold
Of several fruit rots of strawberry in Indiana, only one is of major importance –
namely gray mold. This disease is most prevalent in years when cool, wet weather
occurs during picking time, or when heavy rains occur just before or during
harvest.
Symptoms
Gray mold generally starts on the part of the berry that is in contact with the soil
or on berries that touch other decayed fruits or dead leaves. It is first noticeable
Paul C. Pecknold, Exten- as a light brown, rather soft spot. In cool, moist weather, the rot soon involves
sion Plant Pathologist the entire fruit, which then starts to dry out and becomes firm and tough and
uniformly black in color. At this stage, infected fruits will be covered with a grey
powder or dusty-appearing fungus growth–the well-known gray mold. In some
seasons, strawberry blossoms may become blighted by this disease, and petioles
and flower stalks may be affected, resulting in serious injury to the plant.
Cause
Gray mold is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea which occurs in every
strawberry patch. The Botrytis fungus survives on dead plant material and
is spread by windblown spores. Since this fungus can live on almost any
decomposing plant material, it is common to all production areas. Temperatures
of 70 to 80 F and ample moisture favor the disease. Frequent irrigation and/or rain
promote disease development.
Lush plant growth and cultivars that have dense foliage that shade blossoms and
fruit are most susceptible to attack.
Control
Space plants properly so that air can move freely between them. Promote good
air drainage by controlling weeds and keeping beds thinned by renovation. This
allows rapid drying, which reduces the probability of infection. Avoid spring
applications of excessive high nitrogen fertilizer since this may produce excessive,
thick foliage which will prevent rapid drying of berries. Mulching, when practical,
will also help reduce the damage from fruit rot. Cultivate as little as possible from
bloom until after harvest.
Regular applications of fungicides will also help control fruit rots. Spraying
should begin when first blossoms start to open and be continued every 7 to 10
days until harvest, depending upon weather. If required, sprays may be applied
during harvest; however, be sure to check label directions for the number of days

Purdue University • Cooperative Extension Service • West Lafayette, IN 47907

required between final spray and harvest. Captan is
the fungicide of choice for control of gray mold. Be
sure to follow ALL label instructions when using
pesticides.

Figure 1. Fruit rot caused by gray mold.

REVISED 5/01
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