• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.158-161
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• 1999

We determined threshold environmental factros to initiate infection of pepper plants by Botrytis cinerea, a fungal pathogen of pepper gray mold, in two greenhouse conditions. A new efficient spore-trapping method was developed to estimate population density of airborne conidia in the greenhouses, and spore release was measured using a Kerssies' selective medium. At a given day, spores were released greater during daytime (mostly from 7:30 am to 10:30 am and at 4:30 pm) than nighttime. Diurnal and nocturnal temperatures in the greenhouse-1 were about $25^{\circ}$ and $17^{\circ}$,and relative humidity was 100% for prolonged 24 h due to rain on December 17, 1997. Population density of air-borne conidia was 3.0$\times$103 conidia/ $0.5\textrm{m}^3$ after two days, and the initial infection occurred in ten days. During the same period of time in the greenhouse-2, diurnal temperature was about $25^{\circ}$ and nocturnal temperature was below $15^{\circ}$, and population density of air-borne conidia was 104 conidia/ $0.5\textrm{m}^3$. Under these conditions, the initial infection started in three days. This indicates that the early infection occurs under which diurnal temperature is approximately $25^{\circ}$, nocturnal temperature is maintained below $15^{\circ}$, and population density of air-borne conidia is 104 conidia/ $0.5\textrm{m}^3$ at saturated relative humidity condition.