Botrytis cinerea (major causal agent of bunch rot diseases in grapes)

**Botrytis cinerea** is the primary fungal pathogen causing bunch rot (gray mold) in grapes and many other crops, leading to significant losses in yield and quality worldwide[1][2][3][4][5]. It is a necrotrophic ascomycete, meaning it infects, kills, and consumes plant tissue, often entering through wounds or natural openings and spreading under cool, humid conditions commonly found prior to harvest[1][2][5][6]. Other fungi, including species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, may also contribute to grape bunch rot but are less prevalent than *B. cinerea*[3]. Disease management is complicated by the pathogen's ability to overwinter, its broad host range, genetic variability, and frequent development of fungicide resistance[1][4][5]. "Fungal pathogens causing bunch rot diseases" is a collective term and does not refer to a single molecular target, gene, or protein, but rather to a disease-causing guild of plant-associated fungi.

Other names

Grey mold (common disease name)Botrytis bunch rotBunch rot fungiGray moldBotryotinia fuckeliana (sexual/teleomorph stage)Fungal bunch rot pathogens

Inhibit fungal respiration (e.g., SDHI fungicides like boscalid) - Inhibit sterol biosynthesis (e.g., fenhexamid) - Disrupt signal transduction or protein synthesis (e.g., cyprodinil targets methionine biosynthesis) - Block spore germination or mycelial growth[1][4][5]