THE INFLUENCE OF THRIPS OBSCURATUS ON INFECTION AND CONTAMINATION OF KIWIFRUIT BY BOTRYTIS-CINEREA

Infestation of kiwifruit flowers by Thrips obscuratus, and inoculation with Botrytis cinerea, increased the amount of flower infection, external contamination and internal infection of fruit at harvest. Combination of these treatments was synergistic. The mechanisms of this role of T. obscuratus in the epidemiology of B. cinerea and development of stem-end rot after cool storage are discussed in relation to commercial production, harvesting and handling procedures. Significant reductions in inoculum available for fruit infection may be achievable by control of populations of T. obscuratus in orchards during flowering.