Semi-automated on-site quantification of airborne pathogen inoculum to predict the strawberry fruit rot risks

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Reducing fungal fruit rot is a priority in strawberry production in the UK; annual economic losses due to fungal rotting are usually between £30 to £60M. Rot is mainly caused by Botrytis cinerea, Mucor spp. and Rhizopus spp., with their relative prevalence varying over time and growing site. Most strawberry production in the UK is under protection where the risk of fungal rot largely depends on the pathogen inoculum strength, and availability of susceptible tissues. Accurate risk prediction, and hence effective control of fruit rotting, is hampered by the difficulties in accurate and fast quantification of inoculum strength. This project will develop a device for semi-automatic quantification of multiple airborne strawberry pathogens and establish the relationship of both pre- and post-harvest rot risks with the quantified inoculum level. This will extend the marketable shelf life of individual strawberry lots and reduce fruit waste due to fungal rotting.