Effect of hydro-ethanolic extracts of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) and common horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) on incidence and severity of Botrytis cinerea on strawberry

The effect of application of three dosages (5, 10 and 15 mL/L) and two frequencies (each 6 and 8 days) of ethanoic extracts obtained from cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) and common horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) on incidence and severity of grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) on strawberry crop (Fragaria ananassa cv. Albion) was evaluated. Experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with factorial arrangement 2 x 3 x 2 + 1, with three replications. Lower incidence and severity percentage in flower and fruit (10.24 and 24.43%, respectively) were observed after application of cinnamon extract at 15 mL/L at 6 days interval. Similarly, lower fruit severity (11.86%) was observed with the same treatment. In general, reduction in B. cinerea incidence and severity was lower when common horsetail extract was used, compared to cinnamon extracts. According to our results, using of cinnamon hydro-ethanoic extracts could be considered as sustainable alternative for grey mold management in strawberry crops.