Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea on Grape Berries in Chile: Use of Registered Biofungicides and a New Chitosan-Based Fungicide

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Authors reported a study about biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea. This fungus commonly known as gray mold, on grape berries is an important concern in the viticulture industry in Chile. Botrytis cinerea is a fungal pathogen that can cause significant economic losses due to the rotting of grape berries, especially in humid and cool climates. There are several approaches to biocontrol that can be used to manage Botrytis cinerea, including the use of registered biofungicides and innovative chitosan-based fungicides. Biofungicides are products derived from natural sources, such as microorganisms or plant extracts, which could control fungal pathogens. The authors test seven natural fungicides to counteract the growth and development of the fungus.

In addition authors reported a new chitosan-based fungicide as a potential tool for Botrytis cinerea control. Chitosan-based fungicides work by forming a protective barrier on the grape berries, inhibiting the germination and penetration of fungal spores. This mechanism of action makes them an interesting alternative to traditional chemical fungicides, as they are considered more environmentally friendly.

The manuscript is clear, and the results are valid. In my opinion small grammatical errors should be corrected before being published.

Author Response

Dear Editors and Referees,

I am pleased to resubmit the manuscript titled "Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea on grape berries in Chile: use of registered biofungicides and a new chitosan-based fungicide" for publication in the Special Issue of Horticulturae, "Sustainable Viticulture of Grape and Wine Quality: State-of-the-Art 2022".

In the new manuscript version, you can find the minor changes suggested by the three referees assigned. Changes was done as follows:

Line 64, adding To date in replace of In recent years that is on line 86, in this way we think it reads better Photodynamic Inactivation term.

Line 87, rice changed by rise.

Lines 93 to 98, We added the request suggested by reviewer 2. The text mentions the mechanisms behind fungal growth inhibition and the role of the BCAs in biocontrol. We took as a reference one of the papers suggested by the reviewer and another from literature.

Lines 557 to 561, We added the two references used in the introduction.

We also organized the new reference numbers so that there is consistency between the citations in the text and the references, although that is not under track change function.

We believe that with these changes the manuscript will be ready for the last review and later publication.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge both editors and referees for the manuscript reviewing.

Sincerely,

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Manuscript ID: horticulturae-2424613

Type: Article

 

Title: Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea on grape berries in Chile: use of registered bio-fungicides and a new chitosan-based fungicide

 

Author: Mario Herrera-Défaz1, Denis Fuentealba2, Luciano Dibona-Villanueva2, Daniel Schwantes1, Belén Jiménez1, 4 Brenda Ipinza1, Bernardo Latorre1, Héctor Valdés-Gómez1,* and Marc Fermaud 3

 

Recommendation: Minor Revision

Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic fungus that affects many plant species, although its most notable hosts may be wine grapes. In viticulture, it is commonly known as "botrytis bunch rot"; in horticulture, it is usually called "grey mould" or "gray-mold. Considering these, current study was conducted to control the (BBR) using seven registered bio-fungicides (Trichoderma spp., Aureobasidium pullulans, and Melaleuca alternifolia). Also, they assessed the effect of fungicides against fugal pathogen and compared the efficacy of both chemical and bio-fungicides. They observed that bio-fungicides significantly inhibited the growth of fungal pathogen in comparison to chemical fungicides. Furthermore, degree of pathogenicity, disease incidence and disease severity varied among the products in grapevine berries. They observed that M. alternifolia and, A. pullulans among bio-fungicides showed the maximum effectiveness. Overall, the manuscript is good and very suitable for the journal horticulturae.

1.     The title is eye-catching and interesting.

2.     This article is written very well and may be helpful for readers around the globe.

3.     Abstract is good and to the point.

4.     Introduction section is written very well. Authors are requested to elaborate the role of biological control agents and mechanisms behind the fungal growth inhibition. For the same, authors may check the following published literatures:

https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-021-00625-w

https://doi.org/10.1007/s42360-022-00460-5

 

5.     The material and methods section has described in detailed.

6.     Results and discussion are appropriately discussed. The overall manuscript is good. However, there are some grammatical errors have been observed which is needed to improve before publication of the article. 

7.     Tables and figures are nicely presented. Table 1 is very good.

8.     Conclusion section is good.

Author Response

Dear Editors and Referees,

I am pleased to resubmit the manuscript titled "Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea on grape berries in Chile: use of registered biofungicides and a new chitosan-based fungicide" for publication in the Special Issue of Horticulturae, "Sustainable Viticulture of Grape and Wine Quality: State-of-the-Art 2022".

In the new manuscript version, you can find the minor changes suggested by the three referees assigned. Changes was done as follows:

Line 64, adding To date in replace of In recent years that is on line 86, in this way we think it reads better Photodynamic Inactivation term.

Line 87, rice changed by rise.

Lines 93 to 98, We added the request suggested by reviewer 2. The text mentions the mechanisms behind fungal growth inhibition and the role of the BCAs in biocontrol. We took as a reference one of the papers suggested by the reviewer and another from literature.

Lines 557 to 561, We added the two references used in the introduction.

We also organized the new reference numbers so that there is consistency between the citations in the text and the references, although that is not under track change function.

We believe that with these changes the manuscript will be ready for the last review and later publication.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge both editors and referees for the manuscript reviewing.

Sincerely,

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Minor suggestion in the manuscript as highlighted in yellow; "rise" instead of "rice" line 86.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear Editors and Referees,

I am pleased to resubmit the manuscript titled "Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea on grape berries in Chile: use of registered biofungicides and a new chitosan-based fungicide" for publication in the Special Issue of Horticulturae, "Sustainable Viticulture of Grape and Wine Quality: State-of-the-Art 2022".

In the new manuscript version, you can find the minor changes suggested by the three referees assigned. Changes was done as follows:

Line 64, adding To date in replace of In recent years that is on line 86, in this way we think it reads better Photodynamic Inactivation term.

Line 87, rice changed by rise.

Lines 93 to 98, We added the request suggested by reviewer 2. The text mentions the mechanisms behind fungal growth inhibition and the role of the BCAs in biocontrol. We took as a reference one of the papers suggested by the reviewer and another from literature.

Lines 557 to 561, We added the two references used in the introduction.

We also organized the new reference numbers so that there is consistency between the citations in the text and the references, although that is not under track change function.

We believe that with these changes the manuscript will be ready for the last review and later publication.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge both editors and referees for the manuscript reviewing.

Sincerely,