Field Evaluation of Brazilian isolates of Neozygites foridana (Entomophthorales: Neozygitaceae) for the microbial control of cassava green mite in Benin, West Africa

Two Brazilian isolates and one Benin (indigenous) isolate of Neozygites floridana were released against the cassava green mite, Mononychellus tanajoa , in January 1999 in the Adjohoun district, Ouémé administrative region, Republic of Benin. Post-release monitoring conducted 8, 14, 22 and 36 weeks later showed very low mean infection rates on M. tanajoa by isolate (0.03-0.4%). However, 48 weeks after releases, mean infection rates increased noticeably to between 2.3 and 18.7%, and higher infection rates were observed for the Brazilian isolates compared with the indigenous one. The highest infection rate for the indigenous isolate was 4.5% while it reached over 30% for the Brazilian isolates (36.5 and 34.0%). Observations made to study dispersal from inoculated plants showed the absence of infected mites at 4 m from the inoculated plants in all fields 8 weeks after the releases, while they were already present on those at 2 m away. From the next monitoring, 14 weeks after the releases, infection was found at all three sampling positions (inoculated plants and plants at 2 and 4 m away). Only four mites with resting spores were found in over 460 000 mites examined. The highest infection levels were observed in December during 'harmattan' a period characterized by hot days and cool nights with high relative humidity

Grey mould of strawberry, a devastating disease caused by the ubiquitous necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea

The fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea causes grey mould, a commercially damaging disease of strawberry. This pathogen affects fruit in the field, storage, transport and market. The presence of grey mould is the most common reason for fruit rejection by growers, shippers and consumers, leading to significant economic losses. Here, we review the biology and epidemiology of the pathogen, mechanisms of infection and the genetics of host plant resistance. The development of grey mould is affected by environmental and genetic factors; however, little is known about how B. cinerea and strawberry interact at the molecular level. Despite intensive efforts, breeding strawberry for resistance to grey mould has not been successful, and the mechanisms underlying tolerance to B. cinerea are poorly understood and under-investigated. Current control strategies against grey mould include pre- and postharvest fungicides, yet they are generally ineffective and expensive. In this review, we examine available research on horticultural management, chemical and biological control of the pathogen in the field and postharvest storage, and discuss their relevance for integrative disease management. Additionally, we identify and propose approaches for increasing resistance to B. cinerea in strawberry by tapping into natural genetic variation and manipulating host factors via genetic engineering and genome editing