Evaluation of pyrimethanil (Scala) for the control of Botrytis cinerea on harvested Geraldton waxflower

Pyrimethanil (Scala) is a fungicide that might be used for control of Botry tis cinerea infecting Geraldton waxflower. New treatments are sought to red uce the risk of developing strains of B. cinerea that are resistant to fung icides commonly used against it, such as benomyl (Benlate) or iprodione (Ro vral). Scala was applied to waxflower as a postharvest dip at 1.5 or 2 mL p roduct/L. Disease severity on and flower and leaf drop from waxflower bunch es pre-inoculated with B. cinerea were significantly (P = 0.05) reduced by treatment with Scala. Further, flower and foliage vase lives were significa ntly (P = 0.05) longer as a result of postharvest treatment with Scala as c ompared with water-treated (control) stems. Similar degrees of disease cont rol where achieved with either Scala or Rovral. The results demonstrate tha t Scala has real potential as an alternative fungicide for control of B. ci nerea on waxflower.