SKUAST Journal of Research

Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mould or fruit rot in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.), is among the most destructive pathogens affecting yield and marketability worldwide. The disease is a problem not only in the field, but also during storage, transit, and marketing of strawberry fruit, due to onset of severe rot as the fruits begin to ripen. Botrytis rot, or gray mold as it is often called, is a disease of concern in most years thereby warrant immediate attention for management. Chemical management of the disease has the obvious disadvantages of environmental impact, development of resistance, chemical residue in fruit etc, therefore, an alternative safe and sustainable management strategy of disease is of prime importance in strawberries. The present investigation evaluated aqueous (water) extracts of Allium sativum (garlic), Tagetes spp. (marigold), Azadirachta indica (neem), Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) and Artemisia amygdalina against B. cinerea under Kashmir conditions. Assays comprised: (i) in vitro poisoned-food tests at 5, 10 and 20% (v/v) extract, and (ii) in vivo field sprays on ‘Chandler’ in two timing regimes: pre-harvest only (two sprays near harvest) and bloom + pre-harvest (one spray at full bloom and one near harvest). Carbendazim (1%) served as the chemical check. Garlic extract inhibited mycelial growth strongly in vitro (≍80–100% across 5–20%), followed by marigold and neem at higher concentrations (e.g., marigold 20% and 10% ≍70% and ≍55% inhibition; neem 20% ≍65% inhibition), while Artemisia showed the least activity. In vivo, two pre-harvest sprays of garlic 20% reduced fruit rot to 8%, outperforming the bloom + pre-harvest schedule (12%). Carbendazim consistently recorded the lowest incidence (4%) in both timings. The study highlights the potential of A. sativum extract as an eco-friendly alternative for managing grey mould in strawberries under temperate field conditions.