Strawberry Grey Mould, a Devastating Disease Caused by the Airborne Fungal Pathogen Botrytis cinerea

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) is an important and valuable fruit because of its unique flavor and economic, nutritional and health benefits. It is one of the most consumed berries worldwide. Grey mould of strawberry fruits, caused by the necrotrophic ascomycete Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr., is one of the most important diseases. This airborne pathogen has the ability to kill strawberry cells through the production of reactive oxygen species and toxins causing massive production losses at all development stages and even post-harvest. The intensive production of strawberries has created a favorable environment for this disease. Strawberry grey mould management is typically very input-intensive, in particular with respect to chemical fungicides. As a result, the integrated pest management is required to control strawberry grey mould. A thorough understanding of B. cinerea epidemiology and infection processes is needed to guide future efforts in the development of innovative integrated management practices. This review summarizes the current knowledge of taxonomy and morphology, signs and symptoms, disease development, infection process, and control of B. cinerea using integrated disease management.