Grey Mould Control by Seedling Canopy Humidity Reduction Through Under-bench Ventiliation and Styroblock Aeration

📖 The Scoop

Grey mould caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea Pers. is a major impediment to the production of container-grown conifer seedlings in B.C., particularly those of Douglas fir. Management in container nurseries currently relies heavily on protectant fungicide sprays, but this is producing tolerant fugal strains. Lower seedling canopy humidities combined with reductions in the length of time free moisture persists on seedling foliage would be a desirable way to achieve effective grey mould control. To evaluate the efficacy of methods of promoting canopy drying following watering and to achieve overall humidity reduction, standard container-nursery procedures were used to grow coastal Douglas fir seedlings in unmodified, unvented control styroblocks and in styroblocks with aeration holes at each intercavity intersection and vented with heated forced air, unheated forced air and unheated, unforced air. This report presents the results of that experiment.

Genre: Nature / Plants / Trees (fancy, right?)