Evaluation of Conventional, Biological, and Natural Products for Botrytis Fruit Rot Management on Strawberry in San Luis Obispo, CA, Early Season 2026

Botrytis fruit rot, caused by Botrytis cinerea , is the most economically important strawberry fruit rot disease worldwide. Infection first appears as a small brown lesion, often under the calyx and following prolonged wetness (>13 hours). Sporulation appears as a velvety gray mold with susceptibility increasing with fruit ripeness. This report evaluates the efficacy of 16 different fungicide treatments for the management of Botrytis fruit rot on strawberry cultivar ‘Fronteras’ in San Luis Obispo, California, in 2026. These results contribute to the evaluation of commonly used fungicides and provide guidance for the development of integrated disease management programs.