Botrytis Fungus Cannabis

Better known as ‘gray mold‘ or ‘bud rot‘.

01.

What is Botrytis cinerea?

At MyFloraDNA, we test for Botrytis cinerea. Botrytis cinerea is a type of systemic fungal pathogen that can trigger significant crop loss and severely economically impact a Cannabis farm. Spores can infect a healthy plant and lay dormant before triggering symptoms, making Botrytis cinerea a particularly dangerous pathogen for both flower cultivators and nurseries alike.

Botrytis Fungus Cannabis pic1
Paul Bachi, University of Kentucky
Research and Education Center, Bugwood.org
Botrytis Fungus Cannabis pic1
Paul Bachi, University of Kentucky
Research and Education Center, Bugwood.org

Idyllic scenarios

Botrytis Fungus Cannabis pic 3
Botrytis Fungus Cannabis pic 4

02.

Where is Botrytis Fungus found?

In many locations, Botrytis cinerea spores are prevalent in the air, and only need to find the right conditions before they infect a plant. The main cause of Botrytis cinerea infections for Cannabis cultivators is high humidity. When ambient humidity gets too high on a Cannabis farm, it can condense into dew on the surface of Cannabis buds.

03.

Some of the physical traits of cannabis plants infected with Botrytis are:

Botrytis cinerea also goes by the names “Bud Rot” or “Gray Mold,” both derived from the symptoms it causes in otherwise healthy Cannabis plants.

Botrytis Fungus Cannabis pic 5
Yellow spots on the leaves
Buds surrounded by gray fluff
Botrytis Fungus Cannabis pic 8
Weakened stems

04.

Ways of controlling Botrytis

Unfortunately, once Botrytis cinerea infects a Cannabis plant, there is no treatment to cure it. Pruning away infected areas of the plant isn’t a viable solution, since the disease is systemic. Even harvesting plants early won’t defeat the disease, since it can continue affecting buds into the curing and drying process. That makes prevention the only solution to a Botrytis outbreak.

Maintaining proper environmental conditions is critical. Increasing airflow through and beneath the canopy can also help prevent Botrytis cinerea infections. After identifying a diseased plant, you should cull it from your garden to prevent the outbreak from spreading.

Botrytis Fungus Cannabis pic 20

05.

PathoGen-Rx5 may be your solution

Our Pathogen Screening Services can detect microbial DNA sequences in cannabis samples. We can offer you a complete health screening of your plants. Give us a call, if you are struggling with your crop security.