Which practice is NOT recommended for Botrytis prevention?

• A. Increase leaf wetness and humidity
• B. Maintain good air circulation and avoid leaf wetness
• C. Sanitation and pruning for airflow
• D. Avoid leaf wetness

Answer: (A)

Botrytis prevention relies on keeping leaf surfaces dry and the canopy well-ventilated. Increasing leaf wetness and humidity directly creates the moisture conditions the Botrytis fungus needs to germinate and infect, so that practice is not recommended. The effective approaches instead center on reducing leaf wetness duration and canopy humidity: ensure good air circulation so leaves dry quickly, avoid overhead watering by using drip irrigation or watering at the base, and perform sanitation and pruning to remove diseased material and improve airflow. By keeping foliage drier and better ventilated, the risk of Botrytis infection is significantly lowered.