Investigation of Botrytis Cinerea Risk Forecasting Model of Strawberry in Lithuania

Grey mould, caused by Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr. is one of the most important strawberry diseases in Lithuania, like in other countries, where strawberries are grown. The efficiency of different disease management systems were analyzed at the Institute of Horticulture in 2010-2011. The B. cinerea risk probability at various regions of Lithuania was analyzed according to iMETOS ®sm grey mould risk forecasting model. Strawberry grey mould risk forecasting model indicates the risk of infection periods on the basis of the interaction between air temperature and leaf wetness duration. The model calculates how favourable is the period for the risk of infection. In periods where the risk is consistent (more than three days), higher than 60 points, a spray against grey mould should be applied. iMETOS®sm grey mould risk forecasting model gives the opportunity to optimize the usage of fungicides and reduce the number of applications and allows more efficient, ecologically and economically accepted control of strawberries grey mould.