Name : Dini Viandi Ramadhani

Student ID : 6200018323

Orchid Disease : Petal or Blossom Blight by Botrytis cinerea

Blossom blight is a destructive disease of orchid when humid and temperate weather
conditions occur. Blossom blight has become a very common disease and its often confused with
the early stages of the brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola. However, Botrytis, spp. have
been found to be associated with this disease (Ferrada, et al., 2014 in Ferrada, et al., 2016).
Botrytis cinerea is the common pathogen to cause flower spot in orchids (Meera, et al., 2016).
Botrytis blossom blight occurs when cool and wet weather conditions prevail during flowering.
The symptomps are characterized by a light brown necrosis of the petals that may affect the
entire flowers, which remain attached to the twigs for some time. As it has been described on
other hosts, the disease often progresses from fading petals into the rest of the inflorescence.
Eventually gray mold appears on the necrotic tissues under highly humid conditions in the field
and the same symptomps can also be induced in humid chambers under laboratory conditions. A
similar disease, green fruit rot (blossom rot or jacket rot) caused by B. cinerea, was previously
described (Flint, 1995 in Ferrada, et al., 2016). The disease caused by Botrytis in the field is
different for each host plant. Problems that arise can be in the form of small patches and then
spread to dry rot or wet rot, with or not grow a fungus colony. In a conducive environmental
condition, the surface of the plant tissue is visible in the growth of gray fungus colonies
(Komalaningrat, et al, 2018).
Morphological characters in one species of B. cinerea are diverse as shown by the 6
growth patterns of the colonies: they resemble radial, concentric, aerial mycelium with a soft
texture (fluffy), do not have air mycelium (non aerial mycelium), resembling flour (powdery),
nodules (warty), and compact; colony color: white, whitish gray, then turns gray or brown. The
growth pattern of the colony began to appear on day 5 and over time the growth became thicker
and denser. Sclerotium starts to appear on the day,12 starting with white and then turns black,
dark gray, or dark brown. The sclerotium formed in medium follows four patterns: the sclerotium
is spread evenly, irregularly, circularly, and coiled around the medium, with sizes varying
between 0.5-5.5 mm (Komalaningrat, et al, 2018).
Hyphae are shaped like bubbles that are bounded by white, gray, and brown barriers
which then form a branched and insulated mycelium. Furthermore conidiophores arise
perpendicular to the mycelium, insulated, branching at the ends and forming a dichotomy or
trichotomy. The older the conidiophores are, the more brown they are at the edges and the
Name : Dini Viandi Ramadhani
Student ID : 6200018323

brighter it approaches the branching. The tip of the conidiophore swells to form the ampulla and
there is a denticle where the conidium attaches. The conidium form of 25 isolates of B. cinerea
varies: globose, half rounded (subglobose), ovate, ellipsoidal, narrowly ellipsoidal, like a pear
(pyriform), and flat in the wrong one end (flat in one part). One cell conidium, no
microcondidium found. Some of them are brown with hyaline bright lines more dominant,
measuring 6.00 - 18.70 × 4.00-10.50 μm and appear gray in the collection. Pathogenic fungi
trigger host cell death and cause decay of infected plant tissue including leaves, flowers, fruit,
petiol, and other plant tissues (Komalaningrat, et al, 2018).
The genus Botrytis currently comprises 301 valid species. Most of these species have
been identified based on the morphological features and host specificity, but DNA-based
molecular characterization has recently been used to delimit newer Botrytis species.
Phylogenetic anylyses using sequences of the nuclear genes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G3PDH), heat-shock protein 60 (HSP60), and DNA-dependent RNA
polymerase subunit II (RPB2) have been used to corroborate the identification of Botrytis
species (Ferrada, et al., 2016).
One of the orchid species that can infected by this fungi, Botrytis cinerea is Cymbidium.
Diseases like Botrytis cinerea or grey mound in the flowers occur when the temperature drops
below 13° C and the humidity is over 90%. Due of that, growing Cymbidium in proper condition
must be concern. Cymbidiums are temperate flowers and are grown in the higher altitudes. They
are grown in pots and beds with neither too shady nor too sunny conditions. Temperature and
light are the two important factors for producing quality flower spikes. Cymbidiums grows best
at places of temperature in between 16º - 21° C day and 7 - 10º C night temperatures which is
ideal for most of the species. They cannot stand frost and thus needs necessary protection from
frost. Cymbidiums can be grown outdoors if some kind of shade is provided. They are grown in
medium containing loamy soil, fine bark and leaf mould one part each and river sand ½ parts
with a little charcoal powder. As Cymbidiums need plenty of watering, the compost must
provide adequate drainage and for this purpose, pots are filled with crocks unto 2/3 before filling
the compost. During the growing season, the plants should be watered frequently and heavily,
while less amount of watering is required in winter. Watering in the form of fine spray on foliage
is quite beneficial. Humidity should be 70 - 80% for better growth of the plants. Low humidity
will stress the plant in summer and high humidity result in flower spotting. Good amount of light
Name : Dini Viandi Ramadhani
Student ID : 6200018323

and pollution free air is required for healthy growth of plant. It is essential to ensure that neither
pests nor diseases are developed in the plants throughout the growing season. The foliage and
flowering spikes are also attacked by aphids and red spiders. Chemical sprays can also seriously
damage the flowers. If sound horticultural principles are followed such as maintaining good air
movement, keeping the sites and poly houses free from weeds and correct watering, most of the
pests and disease can be contained. The plants should be inspected regularly for pests and
diseases and should be treated immediately with a light dose of malathian or roger spray (Oyi, et
al., 2012).

References

Ferrada, E. E., Latorre, B. A., Zoffoli, J. P., and Castillo, A. 2016. Identification and
Characterization of Botrytis Blossom Blight of Japanese Plums Caused by Botrytis cinerea
and B. prunorum sp. nov. in Chile. Phytopathology. 106:155-165

Komalaningrat, D. A, Tondok, E. T., and Widodo. 2018. Identity of Botrytis Species on

Horticultural Crops In West Java, Indonesia. Jurnal Fitopatologi Indonesia. Vol. 14(6).

Meera, T. M., Louis, V and Beena, S. 2017. Diseases of Phalaenopsis : Symptoms, Etiology and
Management. International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research. Vol.
5(2).
Oyi, D., Gibji, N., Sunya, B., and Karma, C. 2012. Floriculture Prospects in Arunachal Pradesh
with Special Reference to Orchids. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental
Sciences. Vol. 2(3): 18-32.