Sensitivity of Botrytis cinerea from vegetable greenhouses to boscalid

Between 2004 and 2006, 228 isolates of Botrytis cinerea from two regions in China were characterized for baseline sensitivity to boscalid, a new active ingredient that interferes with succinate ubiquinone reductase in the electron transport chain. The isolates showed similar sensitivity in different years and regions. Baseline sensitivities were distributed as unimodal curves with mean EC₅₀ values of 1·07 (± 0·11) and 0·42 (± 0·05) mg L⁻¹ for inhibition of mycelial growth and conidial germination, respectively. Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the risk of development of resistance to boscalid. Boscalid-resistant mutants were obtained by UV-treatment at lower frequencies and with smaller resistance factors than pyrimethanil-resistant mutants. All boscalid-resistant mutants were also significantly more sensitive to Qo inhibitors than their wild-type parents and showed reduced sporulation in vitro and pathogenicity on aubergine leaves. The results suggested that the risk of resistance developing for boscalid was lower than for pyrimethanil. However, as B. cinerea is a high-risk pathogen, appropriate precautions against resistance development should be taken. Synergism between the activity of boscalid and that of kresoxim-methyl was observed.     

4种杀菌剂及其复配剂对番茄灰霉病菌的毒力

采用菌丝生长速率法测定了咯菌腈、氟啶胺、啶酰菌胺和苯醚甲环唑4种杀菌剂及其两元复配剂对番茄灰霉病菌的毒力。结果显示,咯菌腈、氟啶胺、啶酰菌胺和苯醚甲环唑对番茄灰霉病菌的有效抑制中浓度(EC50)分别为:0.018 0、0.018 1、1.896 8和2.087 4μg/mL。复配剂啶酰菌胺∶苯醚甲环唑1∶5、1∶3和1∶1,咯菌腈∶苯醚甲环唑1∶5增效作用最明显;复配剂咯菌腈∶苯醚甲环唑1∶3,咯菌腈∶氟啶胺1∶3,啶酰菌胺∶咯菌腈5∶1,啶酰菌胺∶苯醚甲环唑3∶1具有增效作用,SR值范围为1.5~4.05,其中以复配剂啶酰菌胺∶苯醚甲环唑1∶5增效作用最好,其SR值为4.05;其余不同配比的各组合复配剂具有相加作用,其SR值范围为0.5~1.46。表明咯菌腈、氟啶胺、啶酰菌胺和苯醚甲环唑4种不同作用机制的杀菌剂可以交替或复配使用,以阻止或延缓灰霉病菌抗药性的进一步加剧,为灰霉病的综合防控和抗药性治理提供理论依据。     

Flow of Botrytis cinerea inoculum between lettuce crop and soil

Botrytis cinerea causes grey mould, a disease common on many economically important crops. Although much attention is paid to the airborne inoculum of this fungus, as it sporulates abundantly in favourable conditions, knowledge on the abundance and genetic characteristics of soilborne inoculum could help improve control strategies. In this study, the soilborne inoculum of B. cinerea was quantified in two greenhouses at different times before and after the cultivation of four successive lettuce crops. Between 0 and 1177 colony‐forming units (CFU) of B. cinerea per gram of soil were recorded. There was no significant correlation between abundance of soilborne inoculum and subsequent disease incidence on lettuce (P = 0·11). Sixty‐five isolates collected from diseased plants and 66 isolates collected from the soil were investigated for their genetic diversity. The soil strains showed lower genetic diversity than the lettuce strains when considering the unbiased gene diversity within the nine microsatellite loci, the mean number of alleles per locus and the haplotypic diversity. The genetic differentiation between lettuce and soil strains decreased over three successive lettuce crops. At the same time, the genetic structure of the two groups of strains tended to become similar. These results are consistent with the hypothesis of a flow of inoculum between the lettuce crop and the soil, and vice versa. The study shows that grey mould management should pay more attention to the inoculum of B. cinerea present in the soil.     

Genetic structure and fungicide sensitivity of Botrytis cinerea populations isolated from grapevine in northern Italy

Grey mould, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is a disease severely affecting grape production in northern Italy. However, little information is available on the variability of B. cinerea populations associated with grapevine. The mode of reproduction, sensitivity to fungicides, and for the first time in Italy, the genetic structure of B. cinerea populations isolated from grapevine in a northern Italian region are reported. Botrytis cinerea isolates (317) were completely genotyped for six microsatellite loci and characterized for the presence of the transposable elements Boty and Flipper, for the mating type and for resistance to cyprodinil, fludioxonil, boscalid and fenhexamid. All the isolates were found to belong to B. cinerea Group II, indicating the absence of B. pseudocinerea in the investigated areas. The populations possess a high genotypic diversity, different frequencies of transposable elements and a mixed mode of reproduction. At a regional level, B. cinerea populations belong to a large and interconnected pathogen population that includes the major grape‐growing districts. The populations were generally sensitive to fungicides, with a low proportion (8%) of isolates resistant to cyprodinil, fludioxonil and boscalid. A small genetic distance was found between B. cinerea populations. However, the populations geographically isolated from the others by a mountain range showed a small but statistically significant genetic differentiation and a different pattern of fungicide resistance. The results show that northern Italian B. cinerea populations possess a high evolutionary potential and adaptive capacity.     

Structure and Expression In planta of Botrytis cinerea Ubiquitin Genes

To identify genes of the necrotrophic pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea that are expressed during infection of tomato leaves, a differential screening of a genomic library with radioactively labelled cDNA was performed. This resulted in the identification of a B. cinerea gene, denominated Bcubi4, which encodes a precursor protein consisting of four identical head-to-tail repeats of a 76aa ubiquitin unit. Subsequently a gene denominated Bcubi1CEP79, encoding a single ubiquitin unit joined to a Carboxyl Extension Protein of 79 amino acids, was isolated. The expression of the two ubiquitin genes was studied during pathogenesis of B. cinerea on tomato. Bcubi1CEP79, but not Bcubi4, mRNA was transiently induced at 16h after inoculation. The increased expression of the Bcubi1CEP79 gene at this stage of pathogenesis might be required for enhanced ribosomal biogenesis.     

The Role of Trichoderma harzianum Protease in the Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea

The role of protease of Trichoderma harzianum in the biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea was examined. Two isolates of T. harzianum were compared for their ability to produce protease in liquid culture medium and on the surface of bean leaves. The biocontrol agent T. harziaum T39 produced 58mU/ml of protease and T. harzianum NCIM1185 produced 54mU/ml on the 5th day of growth in liquid culture medium. On bean leaves, combinations of B. cinerea and T. harzianum isolates were examined for the synthesis of protease. The protease activities were 0.9 and 0.6mU/ml for T. harzianum T39 and NCIM1185, respectively, and 0.5mU/ml for B. cinerea alone after 48h of incubation. In the presence of T. harzianum T39 culture liquid containing protease, a 55% reduction in B. cinerea germination and a 80% reduction in the germ tube length were observed after 17h of incubation in vitro. When T. harzianum isolates were added to B. cinerea on bean leaves, increased synthesis of protease was observed (1.0 and 1.2mU/ml for T39 and NCIM1185, respectively). In the presence of T. harzianum NCIM1185 protease, although the rate of germination was reduced, B. cinerea attained 98% germination after 17h of incubation. The hydrolytic enzymes produced by B. cinerea, endo-polygalacturonase (PG) and exoPG were partially deactivated by protease from the T. harzianum isolates. Carboxymethyl cellulase was deactivated only by protease of NCIM1185. On the surface of bean leaves, the protease (obtained from liquid culture medium of T. harzianum isolates) resulted in 56–100% reduction of disease severity. The culture liquid containing protease synthesized on the surface of bean leaves treated with B. cinerea and with T. harzianum was collected and added to fresh leaves infected by B. cinerea. There was 56–100% and 30–75% reduction of disease severity with liquid droplet collected from the leaves treated with T. harzianum T39 and NCIM1185, respectively. Increased control of disease was obtained by combining the conidia of T. harzianum isolates with protease obtained from culture media. Protease inhibitors, trans-epoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamido-(4-guanidino)butane (E64), antipain hydrochloride, and a mixture of inhibitors, but not pepstatin A, fully or partially nullified the biocontrol effect of T39. T39 was found to be a poor producer of chitinase and -1,3-glucanase in vitro. These enzymes were not detected on leaves treated with T39. Involvement of protease in biocontrol of B. cinerea is suggested.     

Biosuppression of Botrytis cinerea in grapes

There is increasing interest in the use of biological control agents (BCAs) and plant resistance stimulants to suppress botrytis bunch rot in grapes, caused by Botrytis cinerea . Numerous different filamentous fungi, bacteria and yeasts have been selected as potential BCAs for control of grey mould based upon demonstrated antagonism towards B. cinerea. Biological suppression of the pathogen arises via competition for nutrients and space, the production of inhibitory metabolites and/or parasitism. Preformed and inducible grapevine defence mechanisms also contribute to disease suppression by preventing or delaying pathogenic infection. Furthermore, various biotic and abiotic agents can stimulate grapevine defence mechanisms and so elevate resistance to B. cinerea infection. Biosuppression of B. cinerea in vineyards, using BCAs and resistance stimulants, has been inconsistent when compared with that observed in controlled glasshouse or laboratory conditions. This may be attributable, in part, to the innate variability of the field environment. Research to improve field efficacy has focused on formulation improvement, the use of BCA mixtures and combinational approaches involving BCAs and plant resistance stimulants with complementary modes of action.     

Biological activity of the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fluopyram against Botrytis cinerea and fungal baseline sensitivity

BACKGROUND: Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs) constitute a fungicide class with increasing relevance in crop protection. These fungicides could play a crucial role in successful management of grey mould disease. In the present study the effect of fluopyram, a novel SDHI fungicide, on several developmental stages of Botrytis cinerea was determined in vitro, and the protective and curative activity against the pathogen was determined on strawberry fruit. Furthermore, fungal baseline sensitivity was determined in a set of 192 pathogen isolates. RESULTS: Inhibition of germ tube elongation was found to be the most sensitive growth stage affected by fluopyram, while mycelial growth was found to be the least sensitive growth stage. Fluopyram provided excellent protective activity against B. cinerea when applied at 100 µg mL^?1 96, 48 or 24 h before the artificial inoculation of the strawberry fruit. Similarly, fluopyram showed a high curative activity when it was applied at 100 µg mL^?1 24 h post‐inoculation, but, when applications were conducted 48 or 96 h post‐inoculation, disease control efficacy was modest or low. The measurement of baseline sensitivity showed that it was unimodal in all the populations tested. The individual EC₅₀ values for fluopyram ranged from 0.03 to 0.29 µg mL^?1. In addition, no correlation was found between sensitivity to fluopyram and sensitivity to other fungicides, including cyprodinil, fenhexamid, fludioxonil, iprodione, boscalid and pyraclostrobin. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained biological activity, baseline sensitivity and cross‐resistance relationship data suggest that fluopyram could play a key role in grey mould management in the near future and encourage its introduction into spray programmes. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

河南省番茄灰霉病菌对3种杀菌剂的抗药性检测

为了明确河南省番茄灰霉病菌对苯并咪唑类杀菌剂多菌灵、二甲酰亚胺类杀菌剂腐霉利和氨基甲酸酯类杀菌剂乙霉威的抗药性状况,2013年从河南省不同保护地中采集番茄灰霉病病果或病叶,经单孢分离共获得番茄灰霉病菌菌株139株。采用最低抑制浓度法（MIC）测定了其对多菌灵、腐霉利和乙霉威的抗药性。结果显示：番茄灰霉病菌对多菌灵、腐霉利和乙霉威产生抗性菌株的频率分别为81. 29%、80.58%和93.53%; 所测菌株对3类杀菌剂的抗性类型有BenRDicSNPCS、BenRDicRNPCS、BenRDicSNPCR、BenSDicRNPCR、BenSDicSNPCR和BenRDicRNPCR 6种,所占比例分别为2. 88%、3.60%、3.60%、5.04%、13.67%和71. 22%。表明河南省番茄灰霉病菌已对多菌灵、腐霉利和乙霉威产生抗药性,迫切需要筛选新的杀菌剂防治番茄灰霉病。     

山西省蔬菜灰霉病菌对嘧霉胺的抗药性检测

为明确山西省蔬菜灰霉病菌对嘧霉胺的抗药性,2010-2011年用单孢分离法从山西省数十个县、市蔬菜主产区采集、分离到171株灰霉病病原菌(Botrytis cinerea),并采用最低浓度抑制法测定各菌株对嘧霉胺的敏感性。结果表明,山西省灰霉病菌对嘧霉胺的平均抗性频率为50.29%,平均抗性倍数为1 423.4。在山西省不同地区灰霉病菌对嘧霉胺的抗性存在差异,其中嘧霉胺使用较多的朔州地区抗药性频率达到100%。     

Multiple resistance of Botrytis cinerea from kiwifruit to SDHIs,QoIs and fungicides of other chemical groups

BACKGROUND: Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr. is a high‐risk pathogen for fungicide resistance development that has caused resistance problems on many crops throughout the world. This study investigated the fungicide sensitivity profile of isolates from kiwifruits originating from three Greek locations with different fungicide use histories. Sensitivity was measured by in vitro fungitoxicity tests on artificial nutrient media. RESULTS: Seventy‐six single‐spore isolates were tested for sensitivity to the SDHI fungicide boscalid, the QoI pyraclostrobin, the anilinopyrimidine cyprodinil, the hydroxyanilide fenhexamid, the phenylpyrrole fludioxonil, the dicarboxamide iprodione and the benzimidazole carbendazim. All isolates from Thessaloniki showed resistance to both boscalid and pyraclostrobin, while in the other two locations the fungal population was sensitive to these two fungicides. Sensitive isolates showed EC₅₀ values to boscalid and pyraclostrobin ranging from 0.9 to 5.2 and from 0.04 to 0.14 mg L^?1 respectively, while the resistant isolates showed EC₅₀ values higher than 50 mg L^?1 for boscalid and from 16 to > 50 mg L^?1 for pyraclostrobin. All QoI‐resistant isolates carried the G143A mutation in cytb. Sensitivity determinations to the remaining fungicides revealed in total eight resistance phenotypes. No isolates were resistant to the fungicides fenhexamid and fludioxonil. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of B. cinerea field isolates with resistance to both boscalid and pyraclostrobin, and it strongly suggests that there may be a major problem in controlling this important pathogen on kiwifruit. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterisation of QoI‐resistant field isolates of Botrytis cinerea from citrus and strawberry

BACKGROUND: In 2004, field isolates of Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr., resistant to strobilurin fungicides (QoIs), were first found in commercial citrus orchards in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Subsequently, QoI‐resistant isolates of this fungus were also detected in plastic strawberry greenhouses in Saga, Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures, Japan. Biological and molecular characterisation of resistant isolates was conducted in this study. RESULTS: QoI‐resistant isolates of B. cinerea grew well on PDA plates containing kresoxim‐methyl or azoxystrobin at 1 mg L^?1, supplemented with 1 mM of n‐propyl gallate, an inhibitor of alternative oxidase, whereas the growth of sensitive isolates was strongly suppressed. Results from this in vitro test were in good agreement with those of fungus inoculation tests in vivo. In resistant isolates, the mutation at amino acid position 143 of the cytochrome b gene, known to be the cause of high QoI resistance in various fungal pathogens, was found, but only occasionally. The heteroplasmy of cytochrome b gene was confirmed, and the wild‐type sequence often present in the majority of resistant isolates, indicating that the proportion of mutated cytochrome b gene was very low. CONCLUSION: The conventional RFLP and sequence analyses of PCR‐amplified cytochrome b gene are insufficient for molecular identification of QoI resistance in B. cinerea. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization and genetic analysis of field isolates ofBotryotinia fuckeliana (Botrytis cinerea) resistant to dichlofluanid

Field isolates ofBotryotinia fuckeliana were collected from naturally infected plants. Their responses to the multisite fungicide dichlofluanid in mycelium growth test fell into three phenotypic classes, characterized by the following EC₅₀ (and MIC) values ing ml^–1: sensitivity, 1–3 (6–10); low resistance, 3–10 (> 100); high resistance, 10–30 (> 100). The corresponding values obtained for these classes in a spore germination test were respectively: 0.05 (0.2), 0.05–0.1 (0.5), 0.5–1 (0.9–1.5). Resistant isolates were crossed with two sensitive and two resistant strains of appropriate mating type to determine the genetic basis of resistance. Distribution of resistance phenotypes in ascospore progeny indicated that a gene, namedDic1, was probably responsible for the low or high resistance of 14 mutants selectively collected from experimental plots of greenhouse-grown gerbera sprayed several times with dichlofluanid or tolyfluanid. A second gene, namedDic2, was probably responsible for the low resistance displayed by two isolates (from grapevine and from carnation) maintained in the laboratory collection. As a result of the investigation, the use of dichlofluanid in integrated management programmes against grey mould is discussed.     

Comparison of RAPD and AFLP Marker Analysis as a Means to Study the Genetic Structure of Botrytis cinerea Populations

To assess the genetic relationships of Botrytis cinerea populations in Almería (Spain), 44 isolates of B. cinerea, collected from six commercial greenhouses (subpopulations), were analysed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified-fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Polymorphisms were more frequently detected per primer with AFLP than with RAPD (16 compared to 4). However, RAPD detected polymorphisms more frequently per loci than AFLP (56% compared to 32%). The analysis of population structure revealed that the genetic diversity within subpopulations (H_S) accounted for 96% of the total genetic diversity (H_T) , while genetic diversity among subpopulations represented only 4% of the total diversity, independently of whether they were analysed with RAPD or AFLP markers. The relative magnitude of gene differentiation between subpopulations (G_ST) and the estimate of the number of migrants per generation (N_m) averaged similar values when estimated with RAPD or AFLP markers (0.039 and 0.036, or 12.32 and 13.39, respectively). The results obtained in dendrograms were in accordance with the gene diversity analysis. However, the diversity of B. cinerea was higher when analysed by RAPD than with AFLP. In these cases, the isolates could not be grouped by greenhouse or fungicide resistance (except those sensitive to carbendazim and resistant to procymidone). Both the RAPD and AFLP technologies are suitable for studies of genetic structure of B. cinerea populations, although RAPD generated more polymorphisms per loci than AFLP, and provided a better explanation of the genetic relationships between isolates.     

Induced systemic resistance in Trichoderma harzianum T39 biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea

Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea with Trichoderma spp. is generally believed to result from direct interaction of the biocontrol agent with the pathogen or from a Trichoderma-induced change in environmental conditions that affects B. cinerea development. In this work we provide arguments for the participation of induced plant defence in T. harzianum T39 control of B. cinerea. In tomato, lettuce, pepper, bean and tobacco, T. harzianum T39 application at sites spatially separated from the B. cinerea inoculation resulted in a 25–100%percnt; reduction of grey mould symptoms, caused by a delay or suppression of spreading lesion formation. Given the spatial separation of both micro-organisms, this effect was attributed to the induction of systemic resistance by T. harzianum T39. The observation that in bean the effect of T. harzianum T39 was similar to that of the rhizobacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa KMPCH, a reference strain for the induction of systemic resistance, confirmed this hypothesis. Since B. cinerea control on tobacco leaves sprayed with T. harzianum T39 was similar to the control on leaves from T. harzianum T39 soil-treated plants, induction of plant defence might also participate in biocontrol on treated leaves.     

Evaluation of the incidence of the G143A mutation and cytb intron presence in the cytochrome bc-1 gene conferring QoI resistance in Botrytis cinerea populations from several hosts

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that resistance of Botrytis cinerea to QoI fungicides has been attributed to the G143A mutation in the cytochrome b (cytb) gene, while, in a part of the fungal population, an intron has been detected at codon 143 of the gene, preventing QoI resistance. During 2005–2009, 304 grey mould isolates were collected from strawberry, tomato, grape, kiwifruit, cucumber and apple in Greece and screened for resistance to pyraclostrobin and for the presence of the cytb intron, using a novel real‐time TaqMan PCR assay developed in the present study. RESULTS: QoI‐resistant phenotypes existed only within the population collected from strawberries. All resistant isolates possessed the G143A mutation. Differences were observed in the genotypic structure of cytb. Individuals possessing the intron were found at high incidence in apple fruit and greenhouse‐grown tomato and cucumber populations, whereas in the strawberry population the intron frequency was lower. Cultivation of QoI‐resistant and QoI‐sensitive isolates for ten culture cycles on artificial nutrient medium in the presence or absence of fungicide selection showed that QoI resistance was stable. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that a high risk for selection of QoI‐resistant strains exists in crops heavily treated with QoIs, in spite of the widespread occurrence of the cytb intron in B. cinerea populations. The developed real‐time TaqMan PCR constitutes a powerful tool to streamline detection of the mutation by reducing pre‐ and post‐amplification manipulations, and can be used for rapid screening and quantification of QoI resistance. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Factors affecting symptom production by latent Botrytis cinerea in Primula×polyantha

Latent infection by Botrytis cinerea was frequently detected in young Primula × polyantha (horticultural hybrid polyanthus) plants. Genetically marked isolates were used to demonstrate that conidial inocula applied to young plants generally did not result in disease appearing on the leaves until plants flowered, regardless of when plants were inoculated. The severity of disease was proportional to the length of each day spent at 100% relative humidity during the latent period, regardless of time or form of inoculum. Plants with a prior B. cinerea infection were more susceptible to further infection and also showed symptoms of B. cinerea infection more quickly. Bacteria found to be associated with B. cinerea increased the likelihood of B. cinerea symptoms being seen on the plant, but did not directly assist infection.     

Resistance profiles of Botrytis cinerea populations to several fungicide classes on greenhouse tomato and strawberry in Lebanon

Tomato and strawberry are the most important protected crops in Lebanon and are seriously affected by grey mould disease, caused by Botrytis cinerea. In the present study, the fungicide sensitivity assays revealed medium to high frequencies of B. cinerea isolates resistant to benzimidazoles, dicarboximides, and anilinopyrimidines on tomato and strawberry. Fludioxonil- and boscalid-resistant mutants were uncommonly found at generally low frequency on both crops. Resistance to fenhexamid was detected in only one site on tomato but in most sites on strawberry with high frequencies, and the occurrence of resistance to QoI fungicides was ascertained on both crops. The majority of the tested isolates (>90%) exhibited multiple fungicide resistance, and isolates resistant to the seven antibotrydial fungicide classes were detected on strawberry in three locations. A high level of resistance was shown by B. cinerea mutants resistant to boscalid, fenhexamid, and QoI fungicides, while two levels of moderate and high resistance to anilinopyrimidines were identified. Genetic analysis revealed point mutations in the target genes commonly associated with resistance in B. cinerea isolates, with all mutants resistant to dicarboximides, fenhexamid, boscalid, and QoI fungicides carrying single-nucleotide polymorphims in BcOS1 (I365S/N, Q369P, and N373S), Erg27 (F412V/I), SdhB (H272R/Y), and cytb (G143A) genes, respectively. The general incorrect use of fungicides has caused the development and spread of fungicide resistance as a widespread phenomenon on protected tomato and strawberry in Lebanon. The implementation of appropriate antiresistance strategies is highly recommended.     

Comparison of Antagonists of Botrytis cinerea in Greenhouse-grown Cucumber and Tomato under Different Climatic Conditions

The efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum T39 and the yeasts Aureobasidium pullulans and Cryptococcus albidus against Botrytis cinerea in cucumber and tomato was compared with chemical control. Four experiments were conducted in cucumber grown under different climatic conditions in The Netherlands, and two experiments were done in tomato both in the Netherlands and in Israel. T. harzianum and A. pullulans showed the most consistent control of B. cinerea, reducing stem lesions and death of plants by 40–100% in most cases. Control of stem lesions and subsequent wilting was generally better than control of symptoms on fruits. In some cases, the biocontrol agents were more effective than the broad-spectrum fungicide tolylfluanid and the selective fungicide iprodione. The climatic conditions did not strongly influence the efficacy of the biocontrol agents, but regression analysis showed that high temperature during the day and high vapour pressure deficit during the night reduced biocontrol efficacy. From the results, prospects for biocontrol of B. cinerea in greenhouse vegetables appear good under a range of conditions.