Effectiveness of slightly acidic electrolyzed water sprayed with a fine mist cooling system for the control of strawberry gray mold

Abstract

This study explored the effect of spraying slightly acidic electrolyzed water through a fine mist cooling system to control strawberry gray mold and its influence on temperature and humidity in the greenhouse. Results showed that nighttime electrolyzed water applications failed to suppress gray mold and led to a high humidity condition, which could have promoted disease development under the conditions of more optimal temperature and high infection sources. In contrast, daytime applications of electrolyzed water increased the humidity temporarily and suppressed the development of strawberry gray mold. This effect was particularly high on plants that were well dampened with the electrolyzed water, suggesting that electrolyzed water application using a fine mist cooling system is effective in controlling strawberry gray mold.