El hongo de la Pudrición gris (Botrytis cinerea): amenaza creciente para el cultivo de frutos rojos en Costa Rica

The cultivation of berries in a tropical country such as Costa Rica faces significant agronomic challenges due to diseases like gray mold, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Through various extension projects developed at the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC), local knowledge was generated on the impact of this disease on crops such as strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry by integrating the perspectives of producers, marketers, and consumers. The results confirmed that strawberries are the most affected crop, with open-field losses reaching up to 80%. It was also verified that greenhouse production allows growers to improve disease management, and that the application of conventional chemical fungicides is common across different production systems, with usage levels representing up to 40% of the total agrochemical quote. Additionally, TEC developed and evaluated a postharvest bioprotective, which significantly reduced the incidence of gray mold in strawberries and blueberries, extending their shelf life by up to 5 days and reducing postharvest losses by 20–30%. Key lessons learned through collaboration with producers include the need to strengthen local capacities in postharvest management, improve institutional coordination related to berry crops, and continue applied research to adapt efficient technologies to local conditions that promote more sustainable agricultural practices.