The effect of several mineral formulations on controlling strawberry blossom blight due to Botrytis cinerea

Abstract

Abstract Gray mold is one of the most important strawberry diseases worldwide. Today, minerals play a significant role in controlling plant diseases. The antimicrobial effects of salt solutions have been widely documented in researches describing their effectiveness in managing various plant diseases. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of mineral compounds on controlling strawberry blossom blight caused by Botrytis cinerea. Ten mineral compounds were used to evaluate the controlling effect on the disease-causing fungus in vitro with five doses. Six mineral compounds that include aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium selenite, borax, and potassium sulfate were chosen based on inhibition of mycelial growth compared to the control, mycelium deformation, and lack of conidiation, for formulations based on EC, based on two oils of flax seeds and castor. The number of infected and healthy flowers were recorded to evaluate the controlling effect of mineral compound formulations on strawberry blossom blight under greenhouse conditions. The formulations efficiency were between 48% − 80%. The best formulation after signum® was aluminum chloride based on castor oil at two parts per thousand.