A new yeast-based biological control from Westbridge Agricultural Products, Botector, is labeled for control of Botrytis bunch rot in grapes, Botrytis gray mold in strawberries, and Botrytis, Monilinia, and storage diseases in pome and stone fruit.
The biological control consists of two strains of Aurebasidim pullulans, a yeast that naturally occurs on the plant surfaces. The compound works through competitive exclusion in the yeast that combines with other microbes for nutrients and space, inhibiting Botrytis from colonizing infection sites. There is no residue left from the compound and it does not affect fermentation or wine quality. It also is shown to be safe for use around bees and beneficial insects.
Michigan State University researchers used Botector on a fungicide trial. For more information about the results of that trial, click here.