Botrytis Cinerea is a widespread, damaging fungus that affects many plant species worldwide (Williamson,et al., 2007). It produces many pathogenic enzymes and toxins that break down the cell wall, causing the fuzzy gray mold seen on many crops (Williamson et al., 2007). Symptoms of botrytis cinerea infection include a rapid appearance of grey masses, soft rots, and collapsed structure (Williamson et al., 2007).

Kingdom: Fungus

Phylum: Ascomycota

Subphylum: Pezizomycotina

Class: Leotiomycetes

Order: Helotiales

Family: Sclerotiniaceae 

Genus: Botryotinia

Subtaxa: "botrytis": grapes, "cinerea": disease

Botrytis Cinerea is a eukaryotic, multicellular iorganism that reproduces through spores by landing on the cell wall of many plant species (Hoffland et al., 1999). It is resistant to many fungicides and once the organism starts to spread it is hard to control it without killing many of the crops as well (Williamson et al., 2007). Botrytis Cinerea can grow in habitats all across the world, anywhere with fruit, vegetables or plants, although it has very limited interaction with animals (Hoffland et al., 1999). 

C/N analysis: the ratio between the amount of carbon and nitrogen in an organism (Hoffland et al., 1999).

• Scientists wanted to see the effect on nitrogen and phosphorus availability and susceptibility of Botrytis Cinerea on tomato leaves (Hoffland et al., 1999).

• Humidity, temperature, and light were all constant factors (Hoffland et al., 1999).

• 30 to 3 plants per container; 3 containers (Hoffland et al., 1999)

• Growth analysis measured 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after nitrogen addition (Hoffland et al., 1999)

• Evidence provided proof that as the ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus rates were increased, there was a 95% increase in susceptibility to Botrytis Cinerea. (Hoffland et al., 1999)

• Therefore, an increase in nitrogen and phosphorous rates within tomato leaves leads to an increase of susceptibility to Botrytis Cinerea.

We were able to see how Botrytis Cinerea attacks organisms with a higher amount of nitrogen and phosphorous available to it, meaning Botrytis Cinera can gain more control over these organisms in these environments. This discovery is important because it lets us understand how the fungus grows and what conditions are ideal for Botrytis Cinerea to take over crops and fields by ruining them (Hoffland et al., 1999).