Benzyl alcohol as an Inhibitor of the Development of Botrytis cinerea in vitro and in Packed Grapes During Storage

¹ Plant Pathologist, Unifruco Ltd, P.O. Box 505, Bellville 7535, South Africa

Benzyl alcohol was tested for inhibition of conidium germination and mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea in vitro. At ±200 ppm conidium germination, germ tube length and colony growth was strongly inhibited. Benzyl alcohol inhibition of conidium germination was temperature-dependent, but mycelial growth was not. When tested on inoculated Waltham Cross berries in vitro, control of botrytis rot was significantly reduced by berry injury. Although benzyl alcohol significantly reduced botrytis rot of two table grape cultivars (Waltham Cross and Barlinka) in cartons stored for four weeks, the level of control was poorer than that of SO₂. Benzyl alcohol did not alter sugar levels of cold-stored berries but caused unacceptable levels of berry burn. The commercial use of this compound was rejected based on organoleptic tests and phytotoxicity.

Key words: benzyl alcohol, Botrytis cinerea, grape storage

Submitted on October 31, 1989