The fungus Botrytis is known to cause rot in fruit and decrease the harvest in an effort to limit the damage, some agriculturalists spray the soil of orchards with fungicides. The effect of fungicides is not specific for Botrytis and kills most fungi in the soil. In a short answer, predict what would happen to the yield of grapes following fumigation and explain the rationale for your prediction.

Question

(4 points)

Answer 1

The yield of grapes would likely decrease following fumigation with fungicides. This is because fungicides kill most fungi in the soil, including beneficial fungi that help improve soil health and nutrient availability for the grapevines. Without these beneficial fungi, the grapevines may not be able to take up nutrients as effectively, leading to a decrease in yield. Additionally, the lack of competition from other soil fungi may allow Botrytis to become more prevalent, further contributing to a decrease in grape yield.