Botrytis Tolerance

Botrytis tolerance refers to a cannabis plant's inherent resistance or susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea (gray mold), a common fungal pathogen in cultivation environments. Plants with stronger botrytis tolerance typically feature denser trichome production, faster-drying flower tissue, or naturally lower humidity retention in the canopy—traits that create unfavorable conditions for spore germination and mycelial growth. Lineage records frequently report that certain landrace populations and modern cultivars show reduced infection rates under high-humidity conditions. Breeders working in humid climates or indoor environments increasingly prioritize botrytis-resilient genetics to reduce crop loss and minimize fungicide applications. This trait is environmentally influenced but has documented genetic components that can be selected across generations.

Cultivators and breeders in wet climates or high-humidity grow rooms actively select parent plants demonstrating botrytis resistance to stabilize this trait in new lines. Combining botrytis tolerance with yield and potency targets remains a key breeding objective in modern genetics development.