Net blotch in semi-arid regions of Morocco II

Net blotch incited by Pyrenophora teres f. teres is an important constraint for barley production in the semi-arid regions of Morocco, reaching epidemic proportions under favorable weather conditions. In this study, we generated 480 epidemics. These epidemics were characterized at five sites and for six different varieties with plants either inoculated by the pathogen or treated with fungicide tilt (propiconazle) 250 a.i. ha⁻¹. The study was conducted in two growing seasons (1995–1996 and 1996–1997). Disease severity and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) were related to grain yield. Critical-point model (CPM) and multiple-point model (MPM) did not explain the yield variability encountered and were not investigated further. For the same reason, the relationship between the AUDPC and yield was discarded. Disease effect on yield loss was closely related to yield potential in each growing season, and could not be used to predict yield or yield losses. Estimated yield losses due to net blotch varied between 14 and 29% with resistant varieties out yielding susceptible varieties by 39% when there was no disease control and by 56% under fungicide treatment. Varietal resistance is essential to the control of barley net blotch. A response surface model based on grain yield, AUDPC and growth stage explained most of the yield variability (R²=0.94). This model was validated with 13 barley varieties and two mixtures. The fitting of this response surface model predicted grain yields within ±200 kg ha⁻¹ when tested from booting to flowering stages.     

大麦在网斑病菌侵染后的转录组学分析

近年来,由子囊菌亚门真菌网斑病菌(Pyrenophora teres)引起的大麦网斑病在我国大麦（Hordeum vulgare L.)主产区大面积发生并流行,导致大麦产量和品质下降。为探索大麦响应网斑菌侵染的分子机制,以抗网斑病种质材料BYT-CYA3（B）和敏感型材料美41/I（M）为研究对象,利用转录组测序技术（RNA-Sep）,分析了2个材料在接种网斑病菌后不同时间点的基因表达差异。结果表明,对比网斑病菌侵染后不同时间点的转录组测序数据,共鉴定出35 545个差异表达基因;网斑病侵染大麦3 h、6 h、12 h、24 h和72 h时,抗病材料与敏感型材料间富集到GO和KEGG途径的差异表达基因数目有明显区别;共获得435个网斑病菌侵染诱导表达基因;共筛选出182个主要参与过氧化物酶体（peroxisome）、代谢途径（metabolic pathways）、MAPK信号传导途径-植物（MAPK signaling pathway-plant）、植物-病原体相互作用（plant-pathogen）、植物激素信号转导（plant hormone signal transduction）、次生代谢物生物合成（biosynthesis of secondary metabolites）等生物学过程的差异表达基因,推测这些基因与大麦响应网斑病菌侵染有关。随机从中选取10个基因进行了荧光定量PCR检测,并对其转录组测序结果进行定量分析,发现荧光定量PCR结果与转录结果趋势一致。本试验从分子水平初步探索了大麦对网斑病菌侵染的响应机制,为深入研究抗病基因提供了候选基因。     

Effect of planting date,fungicide timing and cultivar susceptibility on severity of narrow brown leaf spot and yield of rice

Narrow brown leaf spot (NBLS) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) is caused by Cercospora janseana (Racib). O. Const. (Synonyms: Cercospora oryzae Miyake, Passalora janseana Racib. U.). Experimental studies were conducted at Rice Research Station, Louisiana State University, and Agricultural Center, Crowley, to manage NBLS by fungicide application of propiconazole at different growth stages of rice cultivars having different susceptibility levels to NBLS in different planting dates. Results of these studies revealed that April (early) had less NBLS severity as compared to May (late) planting. Very susceptible cultivars, CL131 and Cheniere, had the highest and resistant cultivars, Della and Presidio, had the lowest NBLS severity at both the planting dates. Propiconazole application significantly reduced the NBLS severity in comparison to untreated. Fungicide application at panicle initiation was the most effective time to manage NBLS on the very susceptible and susceptible cultivars at both planting dates. NBLS on moderately susceptible cultivars was best managed by applying fungicide either at panicle initiation or early boot stage in early planting but panicle initiation was the best time to apply fungicide in late planting. Resistant cultivars did not need fungicide in April planting but did need in May planting. Rice yield was determined to be higher in April than May planting. Fungicide application at early boot stage protected the yield by 9.4% in April planting and 34.2% when applied at panicle initiation in May. Susceptible cultivar, Cheniere, exhibited the greatest yield and resistant cultivars had lowest yield in both the planting dates regardless of its susceptibility level to NBLS. Yield of very susceptible to susceptible cultivars was reduced in late planting but no effect was observed on yield of moderately susceptible and resistant cultivars.     

Fungicide and cultivar effects on the development and temporal progress of wheat blast under field conditions

The epidemiology of wheat blast, caused by the Triticum pathotype of Pyricularia oryzae, is poorly understood, making it very difficult to manage. We reported on the individual and combined effect of host resistance and fungicide application for managing wheat blast disease on spikes. Two field experiments (Exp. 1 and Exp. 2) were conducted in a region of Brazil where blast is not known to be endemic to evaluate its development as influenced by fungicide and host resistance. Plots of wheat cultivars BR-18 (partially resistant) and Guamirim (susceptible) were either treated with the fungicide epoxiconazole + pyraclostrobin or left non-treated, and then inoculated with a spore suspension of P. oryzae at mid-anthesis. Spike blast incidence and severity, quantified at regular intervals after inoculation, increased over time, and fungicide and cultivar had statistically significant effects (P < 0.005) on both measures of disease and their temporal rates of progress. Relative to Guamirim-non-treated, BR-18-non-treated (resistance alone) led to 44 and 64% control of final incidence and severity, respectively, in Exp. 1, and 3 and 49% control, respectively, in Exp. 2. Guamirim-treated (fungicide alone) led to 65% control of incidence and 77% control of severity in Exp. 1, and 64% control of incidence and 95% control of severity in Exp. 2. For both incidence and severity, fungicide and resistance alone also reduced the temporal rate of progress relative to the susceptible non-treated. However, the greatest overall efficacy was observed when resistance and fungicide were combined, with over 70 and 90% control of final incidence and severity, respectively, and over 75% reduction in the temporal rate of spike blast progress. Based on percent control, the integrated effect of resistance and fungicide was additive for incidence, severity, and their temporal rates of progress, demonstrating the value of combining the two strategies to manage spike blast.     

Nematodes and fungal diseases in barley and wheat on Prince Edward Island

A total of 31 genera and 28 species of plant and soil nematodes were identified from 30 commercial fields each of barley and wheat on Prince Edward Island. Root-lesion nematodes, primarily Pratylenchus penetrans, were the dominant plant parasites, and the only endoparasitic nematodes recovered from roots. Root-lesion nematodes were the dominant genus in soil, but stunt nematodes (Tylenchorhynchus spp., primarily T. dubius, and Merlinius spp.), and pin nematodes (Paratylenchus spp.) were also recovered frequently. Common root rot, barley net blotch, and wheat leaf blotch, incited by Cochliobolus sativus, Pyrenophora teres, and Leptosphaeria nodorum, respectively, were prevalent in barley and wheat. The nematicide aldicarb reduced the numbers of root-lesion nematodes in roots and soil in experimental plots during 1984–1987, except from soil in wheat and barley in 1984 and in barley in 1986. Aldicarb treatments also increased grain yields significantly by 10% and 19% in 1984 and 1987, respectively. Aldicarb treatments did not affect the incidence of common root rot, barley net blotch, or wheat leaf blotch disease. Correlation and regression analyses of data from experimental plots did not indicate any significant relationships between population levels of root-lesion nematodes in roots or soil and severity of root or foliar diseases in barley or wheat.     

Progress and challenge towards reducing wheat spot blotch threat in the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia: Is climate change already taking its toll?

Spot blotch, caused by Cochliobolus sativus, is a serious constraint to wheat production (Triticum aestivum L.) in the warmer plains of South Asia. Fourteen genotypes were tested in Bangladesh, India and Nepal during 6 years (2000–2005) to determine disease severity and resistance stability over these years. We analyzed the area under the disease progress curve per day (AUDPC/day) to assess spot blotch severity, and examined grain yield, 1000-kernel weight (TKW), days to heading, and plant height. Disease severity differed in the 6 years and several genotypes showed low disease severity in all years. A few genotypes had high grain yield and low disease severity in all years. Genotype Altar-84/Ae. Sq. (224)//Yaco, with the lowest disease severity and highest 1000-kernel weight (TKW) and grain yield was also the most stable for spot blotch resistance, TKW and grain yield. Results demonstrated that wheat genotypes with improved spot blotch resistance, high grain yield, acceptable TKW, and plant height are available as a result of the regional and international collaboration in South Asia. Despite this progress, the challenge lies ahead because of an apparent tendency of increasing spot blotch overall severity in the region and decreasing TKW over 6 years (2000–2005). Higher, average night time temperature during the month of March is an indicator showing that wheat crop performance is challenged in two ways—increasing spot blotch severity and decreasing TKW causing lower yield. The results underline the possible effect of changing climatic factors on disease pressure and the continuous need to identify new resistance sources to develop more spot blotch resistant wheat for the warmer Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia.     

Integrating a host-resistance factor into the FAST system to forecast early blight of potato

A host resistance factor was integrated into the FAST (Forecaster ofAlternariasolani onTomatoes) system to initiate and to schedule fungicide applications for three levels of potato cultivar susceptibility while maintaining disease control and yield. Four cultivars ranging from susceptible to moderately resistant were each treated with the fungicide chlorothalonil during two field seasons. The five fungicide treatments were a 7-day schedule initiated after 50% flowering; a non-sprayed control; and three FAST application schedules based on combinations of critical levels of cumulative severity (CS, the disease severity values as a function of leaf wetness and temperature) and cumulative rating (CR, the disease rating values as a function of average temperature and hours of relative humidity greater than 90%) values. The FAST system predicted the onset of early blight and subsequent periods conducive for disease development in 1993 and 1994. There were cultivar-by-spray-schedule interactions for both disease severity and yield, suggesting that differences in early blight sus-ceptibility exist between cultivars. Use of the recommended schedules for the cultivar’s targeted level of susceptibility reduced early blight severity and minimized fungicide use while maintaining yield. These results indicate that a host-resistance factor can be incorporated into the FAST system.     

Agronomic and economic assessment of intensive pest management of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Two common production constraints of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Ontario are annual weeds and anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum). Dry bean is not considered a competitive crop and weed interference can result in substantial yield losses, while anthracnose is considered one of the most devastating diseases in dry bean production. A study conducted in Ontario Canada, examined the effect of two herbicide programs on weed management, thiamethoxam insecticide treatment on plant enhancement and three fungicide programs on anthracnose development in a navy bean cv. ‘OAC Rex’. The premium herbicide program (s-metolachlor + imazethapyr) reduced percent weed ground cover relative to the economic herbicide program (trifluralin) in five of six locations. Thiamethoxam increased emergence and vigour at only one location, which contradicts reported benefits of thiamethoxam on plant health. The herbicide or thiamethoxam treatments did not affect anthracnose disease severity, visible seed quality, net yield or economic return. The fungicide seed treatment was often superior to the untreated control, for a number of the parameters measured. The application date of the foliar fungicide, relative to the onset of disease, varied between site-years. This dramatically influenced the fungicide’s effectiveness. Foliar fungicides increased seed quality and net economic return compared to the control when applied prior to disease development. The combination of fungicide seed treatment followed by a foliar fungicide provided the largest reduction in anthracnose severity.     

Interactions between crop biomass and development of foliar diseases in winter wheat and the potential to graduate the fungicide dose according to crop biomass

Foliar pathogens such as Zymoseptoria tritici and Puccinia striiformis causing septoria leaf blotch and yellow rust respectively can cause serious yield reduction in winter wheat production, and control of the diseases often requires several fungicide applications during the growing season. Control is typically carried out using a constant fungicide dose in the entire field although there may be large differences in crop development and biomass across the field. The objective of the study reported in this paper was to test whether the fungicide dose response curve controlling septoria leaf blotch and other foliar diseases in winter wheat was dependent on crop development and biomass level. If such a biomass dependent dose response was found it was further the purpose to evaluate the potential to optimize fungicide inputs in winter wheat crops applying a site-specific crop density dependent fungicide dose. The study was carried out investigating fungicide dose response controlling foliar diseases in winter wheat at three biomass densities obtained growing the crop at three nitrogen levels and using variable seed rates. Further the field experiments included three fungicide dose rates at each biomass level, an untreated control, and 75%, 50% and 33% of the recommended fungicide dose rate and the experiments were replicated for three years. Crop biomass had a significant influence on occurrence of septoria and yellow rust with greater disease severity at increasing crop biomass. In two of three years, the interaction of crop biomass and fungicide dose rate had a significant influence on disease severity indicating a biomass-dependent dose response. The interaction occurred in the two years with high yield potential in combination with severe disease attack. If the variation in crop density and biomass level obtained in the study is representative of the variation found cultivating winter wheat in heterogeneous fields, then there seems to be scope for optimizing fungicide input against foliar diseases site-specific adapting the dose according to crop density/biomass.     

Trunk applications of phosphite for the control of foliar and fruit scab on pecan

Pecan scab (Fusicladium effusum) is the major disease of pecan in the southeastern United States. Apart from issues of fungicide resistance and the need to test efficacy of novel fungicides such as phosphites, management of the disease in tall trees is challenging due to the technical difficulties of getting sufficient spray coverage to the upper parts of the canopy. The use of trunk application of phosphite, which is systemically transported within the tree, was investigated in six separate experiments in 2010 and 2011. Spray application of phosphite to the trunks of young 3 to 4 year-old trees provided excellent control of scab on foliage of cultivar Desirable, but slightly less control on the susceptible cultivar Wichita, but neither incidence nor severity of scab was reduced on 11 to 12 year-old trees of cultivar Desirable by trunk-spray application in 2010, although slightly less severe disease was observed in 2011. In two factorial cultivar × fungicide treatment experiments in 2010 and 2011 using 13 to 14 year-old trees there was little effect of trunk applications on scab incidence or severity on foliage or fruit. However foliar application of phosphite and a conventional fungicide both significantly reduced the incidence and severity of scab on most cultivars on both foliage and fruit, confirming previous observations of the efficacy of these foliar sprays. Different methods of trunk application, for example injections of phosphite, might prove more efficacious than surface application in older trees.     

A novel,integrated method for management of witches' broom disease in Cacao in Bahia,Brazil

A three-year field study was conducted in Bahia, Brazil to validate several strategies for management of witches' broom disease in cacao caused by Moniliophthora perniciosa. Treatments which were applied alone or in combination included applications of biological control fungus Trichoderma stromaticum, fungicide copper hydroxide and phytosanitary broom removal. When compared with untreated control treatments, higher pod yields and consistently lower pod losses were obtained by alternating fungicide with biocontrol application. Pod losses caused by witches' broom were also reduced by fungicide treatment or by phytosanitary broom removal when applied alone or in combination, however total pod production per tree was consistently low whenever broom removal was used as a management strategy. While application of biocontrol fungus alone was not able to reduce witches' broom on pods, it reduced vegetative broom formation and also increased the number of pod-forming flower cushions. The present study indicates that alternating fungicide copper hydroxide with biocontrol fungus T. stromaticum without expensive phytosanitary broom removal is not only a better disease management strategy in Bahia but also results in better yields and thereby better net economic returns.     

Method of assessment of red leaf blotch on soybeans used to evaluate cultivar susceptibility and chemical control

A field method to assess the infection of soybeans (Glycine max) by Pyrenochaeta glycines, the cause of red leaf blotch (RLB), was developed and successfully used in three field experiments. The assessment method relates infection in the upper canopy leaves to a 0–6 logit scale. Three sprays of the fungicide, fentin acetate (tripenyltin acetate) at 0.6 kg ha⁻¹ applied to plants of four selected soybean cultivars during reproductive growth restricted symptoms, thereby prolonging physiological development and increasing seed yield. Cultivars differed in their susceptibility to P. glycines and yields were larger in the less susceptible cultivars.     

Comparison of infection with Fusarium head blight and accumulation of mycotoxins in grain of hulless and covered barley

We have evaluated 145 covered and 29 hulless barley genotypes artificially infected with Fusarium graminearum Schw. in a field experiment. Significant genetic variation for Fusarium head blight severity measured by the area under the disease progress curve and for mycotoxin contamination was found among covered and hulless barley lines. The overall mean area under the disease progress curve of covered and hulless barley did not differ significantly. Twenty-nine hulless-covered pairs with approximately the same disease severity were chosen for analysis of mycotoxins (B-trichothecenes) in the harvested grain. The average content of deoxynivalenol of the 29 covered and 29 hulless barley samples was 15,520 and 12,964 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The mean deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol content of covered barley was significantly higher than that of hulless barleys (p<0.01), whereas for nivalenol there was no significant difference between the mean values of covered and hulless barley. Hulless barley appears to be less prone to accumulation of mycotoxins in the harvested crop than covered barley most likely because a considerable proportion of the mycotoxin resides in the barley hulls.     

Fungal disease suppression by inorganic salts: A review

This paper reviews the scientific literature on the topic of fungal disease suppression by applications of inorganic salts as alternatives to synthetic fungicides on a global scale for both protected and field crops. Where data were available, the comparative efficacy of inorganic salts with conventional fungicide products is discussed. In total, published evidence was found for 34 inorganic salts (mainly bicarbonates, phosphates, silicates, chlorides and phosphites) that were able to reduce the severity of 49 fungal diseases (of the foliage, stem, fruit, tuber, root and post-harvest) in 35 plant species (vegetables, cereals, fruit crops, root/tuber crops, ornamentals and native plants). The most studied and best controlled disease with inorganic salts was powdery mildew of cucurbits [Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schltdl.) Pollacci 1913 or Erysiphe cichoracearum DC. 1805; up to 99% efficacy], wheat [Blumeria graminis (DC.) Speer 1975 (f. sp. tritici)] and grapes [Uncinula necator (Schwein.) Burrill 1892]. The next best evidence for disease control was for wheat septoria blotch (Septoria tritici Berk. & M.A. Curtis 1874), rice blast [Magnaporthe grisea (T.T. Hebert) M.E. Barr 1977], potato late blight [Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary 1876] and several other Phytophthora spp. The published evidence suggests that these 34 inorganic salts are generally less effective than conventional fungicides and could not fully replace them. However, their integration in a disease management strategy may enable a reduction in the number of conventional fungicide applications required. The potential for the inclusion of inorganic salts in fungal disease management programmes merits further investigation and greater regulatory innovation in the near future.     

Differential feeding by grasshoppers and levels of foliar diseases in various cultivars of spring cereals

Sixty-four cultivars and strains of cereals were evaluated under field conditions for differential feeding by grasshoppers, (Orthoptera:: Acrididae) and for their resistance to foliar disease. Grasshoppers actively fed on all triticale and durum wheat lines, on 11 of 12 bread wheat lines, and on 11 of 24 barley lines. Both the incidence and severity of foliar disease were high in all cereals. There was no correlation between grasshopper damage and resistance to foliar disease (r+ −0·059) in the barley but a positive trend appeared in wheat lines (bread r= +0·487; durum r= +0·295). The data suggest that present trends in breeding disease-resistant cereal cultivars will not introduce increased susceptibility to grasshopper damage.     

Deposition and biological efficacy of a fungicide applied in charged and uncharged sprays in cereal crops

Barley and wheat crops were both sprayed at growth stages 30 and 61–75 with boom-mounted conventional hydraulic nozzles (250 ?/ha), experimental hydraulic electrostatic nozzles (66 ?/ha), electrically driven spinning discs (2 ?/ha, oil-based sprays and 5 ?/ha, aqueous spray) and ‘Electrodyn’ nozzles (1 and 2 ?/ha, oil). The ULV spray systems (up to 5 ?/haS) were used with or without air assistance. The distribution of both oil and aqueous sprays within the crops was measured with fluorescent tracers on plant parts and on whole plants. An experimental triazole fungicide (mixed with tracer) was applied to the crops by all the spray systems and the degree of control of leaf blotch (scald) caused by Rhynchosporium secalis (Oudem.) J.J. Davis in barley and mildew (Erysiphe graminis DC) in wheat compared with the deposit data. The two highest-volume spray systems gave similar results for disease control and there was no significant difference between the charged and uncharged sprays at 66 ?/ha. The Micron Ulva spinning disc and ‘Electrodyn’ systems with air assistance also performed well. Unassisted ULV sprays were often unevenly distributed within the crops and gave inferior disease control. The ‘Electrodyn’ system often produced large total deposits relative to other spray systems but unassisted sprays were mainly deposited on the upper plant parts. The results indicate that application at volumes as low as 1 ?/h can be as biologically effective as conventional high-volume spraying, when compared at the same dose rate of fungicide (90 g/ha). Relationships between spray distribution within cereals and the sites for pest and disease attack are discussed with regard to different methods of application.     

Effect of mineral nutrients on spot blotch severity in wheat,and associated increases in grain yield

Spot blotch, caused by Cochliobolus sativus, is a serious disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the warm lowlands of South Asia. A field study was conducted using two wheat varieties (Bhrikuti and Sonalika) during the 2001 and 2002 wheat seasons in Rampur, Nepal, to determine the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and chlorine fertilization on reducing spot blotch severity in wheat, and its associated increase in grain yield. Application of N alone reduced spot blotch severity by 8% in 2002. Phosphorus fertilization had no effect on spot blotch development. The balanced application of N, P, and K reduced disease severity by 15 and 22% in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Application of KCl as well as CaCl₂ reduced spot blotch severity, but the former caused 11% greater reduction than the latter. The two varieties responded differently to the mineral nutrients’ effect on spot blotch severity, suggesting the nutrients’ importance in cultivar selection when considering the effect of soil fertility on susceptibility to foliar diseases. The lower disease severity and higher grain yield observed after the application of KCl compared to CaCl₂ showed that KCl should be used on K-deficient soils in the warmer wheat growing regions of South Asia where spot blotch is a serious perennial wheat disease in intensive rice–wheat cropping systems.     

Impact of field fungal contamination of barley on ensiling properties,nutritional quality and the microbiome of barley silage

Barley varieties of differing fungal disease resistance were grown in triplicate plots at Lacombe and Lethbridge, Alberta with the disease resistant variety (FR) sprayed with a foliar fungicide to maximize differences in field fungal disease. Both varieties were harvested at soft dough and ensiled in minisilos to assess differences in fungal contamination on ensiling properties, nutritional quality, aerobic stability and associated bacterial and fungal microbiomes. Data were analysed as repeated measures with the effect of treatment × time (duration of ensiling or aerobic exposure) included in the model. The percentage leaf area diseased by net form net blotch was higher (p < 0.05) in the untreated barley cv. Sundre (UN, 59.1% leaf area affected at Lacombe and 25.2% at Lethbridge) than in the FR barley cv. Chigwell (0.7% leaf area affected at Lacombe and 0.1% at Lethbridge). Fungal resistant barley had a lower (p < 0.01) acid and neutral detergent fibre content. Relative abundance of Xanthomonadales was higher (p = 0.02) for FR than UN, while Lactobacillales dominated the bacterial microbiome after 60 day of ensiling in both silages. Bacillales dominated both FR and UN after 21 day of aerobic exposure. Fungal resistant fresh barley forage had a tendency (p = 0.10) for a greater relative abundance of Pleosporales, while UN had higher (p < 0.01) Hypocreales. Mould counts were lower (p = 0.01) for FR than UN after 7 day of ensiling. Fungal resistant barley had minimal influence on the fungal community that contributed to the aerobic deterioration of barley silage.     

Managing crop losses from plant diseases with foliar fungicides, rotation and tillage on a Black Chernozem in Saskatchewan, Canada

The impact of tillage system, rotation sequence and foliar fungicides on diseases and seed yield and quality of wheat, barley, pea, canola and flax was determined in the second cycle of three, 4-year rotations from 1998 to 2001 on a Black Chernozem (Udic Boroll) at Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of reduced-tillage production systems, broadleaf cropping intensity and fungicide use on cereal, oilseed and pulse crops in northeastern Saskatchewan, a sub-humid region of the northern Great Plains. A split-split plot design was used with three tillage systems (conventional, minimum and no-till) as main plots, three rotations of increasing broadleaf crop intensity (1. canola-wheat-barley-barley; 2. canola-barley-pea-wheat; and 3. canola-pea-flax-barley) as sub-plots, and fungicide treatments (treated or untreated) as sub-sub-plots. Fungicides appropriate for the diseases of concern were applied at recommended crop development stages and application rates, followed by assessment of diseases. Tillage system had little impact on diseases of any crop, although seed yield was usually greater under no-till for most crops under dry conditions. Rotation was not a major factor in disease severity of most of the crops, except barley in the rotation where it was grown for two consecutive years. Under dry conditions, barley yield was reduced when it followed flax compared with other crops, most likely due to less available soil moisture after flax. Fungicide application had the greatest impact on disease control and seed yield increase, although results varied among crops and years. In conclusion, the findings indicate that tillage system had little effect on disease severity, rotation contributed to greater disease severity only when a crop was grown intensively, such as on its own stubble, and fungicide application had variable effects on both disease control and seed yield.     

Effects of cultivar resistance and single fungicide application on rice sheath blight, yield, and quality

The increased number of sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani)-resistant rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars available will allow producers to use less fungicide and avoid significant reductions in grain and milling yields. Among cultivars currently in cultivation in the southern United States, sheath blight resistance levels range from very susceptible to moderately resistant. A study was conducted to determine the response of cultivars, with different levels of susceptibility, to sheath blight inoculations and fungicide application and to determine the impact of sheath blight disease development on rice yield and quality. Sheath blight epidemics in field plots were initiated by inoculation at the panicle differentiation growth stage in 2006 and 2007. Azoxystrobin at 0.17 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ was applied at mid-boot. Inoculation significantly increased sheath blight severity and incidence and caused yield losses of 8% in moderately resistant cv. Jupiter to 40% in very susceptible cv. Trenasse. Milling yields were affected to a lesser extent. Fungicide treatments reduced sheath blight incidence and severity, regardless of cultivar except in Jupiter. Single azoxystrobin applications were effective in minimizing yield loss due to sheath blight in all cultivars.