Influence of microbial consortia on the incidence of grey mold (Botrytis cinerea) in strawberry (Monterey variety)

Abstract

Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mold disease, is one of the most destructive pathogens of strawberry crops, both in vegetative development and postharvest. The control of this pathogen is complex due to its aggressiveness and ability to attack and infect various plant tissues and is mainly based on chemical control; however, the incorrect use of pesticides, mainly due to overdosing, causes the presence of traces of these agrochemicals in the fruits, as well as the selection of pathogen resistance to fungicides, making it a risk to human health and the environment. The objective of the study was to use biological regulation strategies, with the application of microbial consortia made up of mycorrhizal fungi, antagonistic bacteria and Trichoderma harzianum, as an alternative for the management of grey mold in strawberry crops (Monterey variety) under field conditions. Treatments T4 (mycorrhizal fungi), T8 (mycorrhizal fungi, antagonistic bacteria and T. harzianum) and T2 (T. harzianum) presented the lowest incidence of the pathogen with 2.6, 3.1 and 3.6 %, respectively, compared to control plants with 16.6%. The influence of all biological treatments on the regulation of B. cinerea was greater than the control.