Necrotrophic Fungi
Definition - What does Necrotrophic Fungi mean?
Necrotrophic fungi are a type of fungi that attack damaged and injured wine vines. The fungi attacks the vine, producing toxins that then kill the vine. The fungi live and thrive off the nutrients of the dead vine. The most well know of necrotrophic fungi that attack wine vines is Botryis cinera, also known as botrytis bunch rot in viticulture.
WineFrog explains Necrotrophic Fungi
Necrotrophic fungi are plant pathogens and parasites that infect and kill wine vines to obtain nutrients in order to thrive. Necrotrophic fungi can attack a wine vine at any stage of growth or development, including seedlings, mature plants or any part of the vine, including the roots, stems, leaves, shoots, flowers or fruits. Botrytis cinerea is a type of necrotrophic fungi that can survive through the winter and can infect vines through tools and vineyard equipment.
The fungi, will attack weakened vines through injury sites caused by pruning, insects or through the splitting of grapes. The fungi can dominate vines during periods of rain and high humidity. Vineyard managers can control the spread of necrotrophic fungi, by maintaining strong healthy vines and by employing canopy management strategies like leaf removal to reduce moisture and humidity on the vine and fruit.
