The dreaded problem of post-harvest rots in grapevines
Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium spp. are the most common issues seen in table grape bunches during post-harvest. While both are pathogens that cause rot, they manifest in different ways and require different controls. Therefore, it is important to observe certain differential symptoms in infected berries to take measures and avoid commercial problems in target markets.
In markets where table grapes are awaited with the same anticipation as cherries, any flaw in the fruit can mean a commercial problem. Even if the fruit arrives with the slightest hint of rot, it will result in an immediate decrease in the sale price. Is it possible to avoid this? Dr. José Luis Henríquez, a researcher at the University of Chile, contends that it is, although this is a race that not only begins post-harvest, but when the fruit is still in the field. "Generally, the pathogens...