Research Shows ZeroTol^® 2.0 Effective Against Botrytis Blight on Geraniums

EAST HARTFORD, CT – Botrytis Blight or Gray Mold is a common disease in many greenhouse grown crops including Geraniums. Botrytis Blight usually affects plants at the tip of younger leaves, causing a water-soaked area. The infected areas enlarge and fungus appears to grow down onto the main stem. This disease has been a problem for greenhouses of all sizes for many years.

Here at BioSafe Systems, we are constantly striving to solve real world issues that affect our customers and growers. In February 2015, we initiated a lab study to assess the efficacy of our OMRI listed and EPA approved bactericide ZeroTol 2.0 to prove that this crop solution is effective in managing foliar blight on Geraniums.

The experimental design was a randomized complete block with 13 treatments and 5 plant replications. Two rates of ZeroTol 2.0 (1:80; 1.6 fl.oz of ZeroTol 2.0 per gallon of water and 1:200; 0.64 fl.oz per gallon of water) were evaluated in this study. A total of 5 applications were made with ZeroTol 2.0 on a 7-day interval. Each plant received approximately 100 ml of spray solution per application.

The study identified ZeroTol 2.0 as an effective option in controlling Botrytis Blight in Geraniums. The average disease incidence and severity ratings were statistically lower in plants treated with ZeroTol 2.0. The treatments also showed an improvement in plant height, especially with the higher rate of ZeroTol 2.0.