April Showers bring Botrytis

Botrytis, or gray mold, thrives in cool and humid environments and can be especially problematic as we enter spring. It can quickly appear almost overnight under the right conditions and spread rapidly throughout the crop and production area. It is important to check your plants regularly, particularly in the lower part of the canopy, as this is where infections can first appear. Initial symptoms to look for are water-soaked spots on foliage and flowers.
While all ornamentals are at risk for Botrytis, some specific crops should be checked weekly for developing symptoms, including:

Botrytis on Impatiens
  • Geraniums
  • Calibrachoa
  • Dahlias
  • Field-grown roses
  • Petunias
  • Cyclamen
  • Pansies
  • Impatiens
  • Chrysanthemums
Due to elevated humidity and ethylene levels that contribute to plant stress, plants that have been or will be boxed, stored or transported are highly susceptible.

Preventive Measures and Treatment

Applying a rotation of effective fungicides, like Mural® and Palladium®, during production and prior to storage and shipping, can help protect crops from Botrytis.

Botrytis sporulation
Mural is a flexible and broad-spectrum fungicide that can control ornamental diseases at any stage in production, from propagation to shipping. As an advanced generation SDHI, Mural has shown superior systemic control compared to strobilurin fungicides. This makes it an excellent choice for combatting diseases like Botrytis, as it moves through the plant for extended protection of new growth.

Palladium fungicide is another effective option for hard-to-control diseases like Botrytis. It contains two active ingredients with two different modes of action that provide strong disease control.  

Mural has modes of action in FRAC groups 7 + 11, which makes it a great partner to rotate with Palladium, as its modes of action are in FRAC groups 9 + 12. When used in a program, they work effectively together to control Botrytis in greenhouses and nurseries. 

For more tips on how to beat Botrytis this spring, view our Botrytis rotation program.
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©2020 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties and/or may have state-specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. Mural®, Palladium® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

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