Early season temperatures between 70 o and 80 o F and wet weather are ideal for disease development. Infection can also occur at lower temperatures when plants are wet for extended periods. The fungus usually infects the plant through dead or dying plant tissue. Fruit resting on soil and touching another decayed fruit or a dead leaf in dense foliage are most commonly attacked. Control of gray mold includes planting in a sunny location that provides good air movement and soil drainage.
Plastic mulches are effective in preventing fruit-soil contact.
Avoid overhead irrigation if possible. Maintain a preventive fungicide spray program from transplanting through harvest. Pick fruit frequently and remove and destroy all diseased fruit and dead plant material. Always handle fruit carefully to prevent bruising and refrigerate fruit promptly at 32 o to 50 o F. Remove all plant residue after harvest. The disease is caused by the fungus Rhizopus spp.