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Mycologia, ASCOMYCOTINA, HELOTIALES, SCLEROTINIACEAE .

Crops attacked: artichoke .

Grey mould

Identification, Description, Biology, Epidemiology, Treatement, Possible misleading, Images

[R]Description
Small necrotic spots on the external bracts of the head; browning and necrosis of the inner bracts ; rottening of the fleshy receptacle then of the whole capitulum which can mummify.
Important loss can occur after the harvest in the storing boxes of artichokes to be sent to the market.

[R]Biology
The fungus has a long saprophytic life but in favourable conditions can turn into a pathogen.
Conidial infection. After a few days the affected parts are covered by the characteristic grey mould made of long branched conidiophores bearing bunches of conidia on the extremities.
The parasite persists asmycelium on plant debris or as sclerotia which can produce apothecia of the perfect Botryotinia fuckeliana form.

[R]Epidemiology
20 -25 °C. and high RH (>90%) are the optimum weather conditions for infection to occur ; a water film persisting several hours on the plant organs favour the disease.

[R]Treatement
Balanced fertilization so as to avoid overgrowth of plants and their predisposition to the action of the fungus.
Protection is needed against the sudden temperature fall or frost causing vulnerable wounds on the heads which must then be prophylactically treated.

[R]Possible misleading
.

[R] Images

1. Botrytis cinerea , Grey mould (CORDA P., CORISA)
   Grey mould on artichoke Capitulum and upper leaves of an artichoke plant showing drying due to Botrytis cinerea .
   
2. Botrytis cinerea , Grey mould (CORDA P., CORISA)
   Grey mould on artichoke Young capitula drying due to the effects of Botrytis cinerea .
   

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