Integration of soil applied neonicotinoid insecticides and acibenzolar-S-methyl for systemic acquired resistance (SAR) control of citrus canker on young citrus trees

Soil application of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides for control of psyllid vectors of Huanglongbing disease on young citrus trees also produces season-long SAR control of citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri Schaad et al. The neonicotinoids imidacloprid (IMID) and thiamethoxam (THIA) were compared with soil or sprinkler applications of the commercial SAR inducer acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) and foliar sprays of copper hydroxide (CH) and/or streptomycin (STREP) to evaluate their effects on the percentage of canker-infected leaves on 2-yr-old ‘Vernia’ orange and 3-yr-old ‘Ray Ruby’ grapefruit trees in Southeast Florida. All treatments significantly reduced the incidence of foliar canker compared to the untreated check. Soil drenches of ASM and season long rotations with IMID and THIA were highly effective for suppressing foliar canker on young grapefruit and orange trees under weather conditions absent of high intensity rains or tropical storms. Sprinkler application of ASM was less effective than soil drench. The level of control for SAR treatments was comparable to eleven 21-day interval sprays of CH and/or STREP. SAR induced by soil-applied insecticides provides substantial benefits for canker disease management on young citrus trees that may be augmented with ASM.     

Application of acibenzolar-S-methyl and standard fungicides for control of Phytophthora blight on squash

A plant systemic acquired resistance inducer, acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), was evaluated to determine the efficacy for suppression of Phytophthora blight of squash caused by Phytophthora capsici under field conditions. ASM was applied as foliar sprays before and after transplanting at rates of 17.5, 8.8, and 4.4 g a.i. ha⁻¹. Application of ASM did not significantly reduce final Phytophthora blight incidences in 2 out of 3 field experiments; however, area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values were reduced significantly by ASM in all experiments conducted. Disease suppression by the three application rates of ASM was not significantly different. To determine the effect of application of ASM in conjunction with standard chemical fungicides, ASM was applied with mefenoxam (Ridomil Gold), copper hydroxide, and mandipropamid (Revus). AUDPC values and final disease incidences were consistently lower in field plots treated by the combination of ASM and standard fungicides than applications of these chemicals alone. Application of ASM resulted in significantly higher squash yield than the non-treated control in 2 of 3 experiments and plots treated with the combined use of ASM and standard fungicides produced the highest yields. These results suggest that ASM may induce plant resistance under field conditions, providing suppression of Phytophthora blight of squash, and that there may be some benefit to the integration of ASM and standard chemical fungicides.     

Evaluation of systemic acquired resistance inducers for control of downy mildew on basil

Basil downy mildew, caused by Peronospora belbahrii Thines sp. nov., is a devastating foliar disease of fresh-cut basil first discovered in the U.S. in South Florida in 2007. Since then the pathogen has been found in over 20 U.S. states and has become a major threat to sweet basil production. In this study, acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM, Actigard 50WG), DL-3-aminobutyric acid (BABA), isonicotinic acid (INA), salicylic acid (SA) and sodium salicylate (SS) were evaluated for their potential to control basil downy mildew in the greenhouse. Efficacy of these systemic acquired resistance (SAR) inducers varied in control of basil downy mildew depending on the rate, method and timing of application. Foliar sprays of ASM applied pre-, post- or pre- + post-inoculation at rates ranging from 25 to 400 mg l⁻¹ significantly (P = 0.05) reduced disease severity compared to the non-treated control in all experiments. ASM sprayed at 50 mg l⁻¹ three times on a weekly basis starting 3 and 7 days post- inoculation resulted in a 93.8 and 47.1% reduction in disease severity, respectively. Six weekly foliar sprays of BABA as pre- + post-inoculation at rates equal or higher than 125 mg l⁻¹ significantly suppressed downy mildew compared to the non-treated control. Foliar treatments of ASM or BABA followed by one or two post-inoculation sprays of a mixture of potassium phosphite (Prophyt) and azoxystrobin (Quadris) significantly improved efficacy for disease control. Sporangia counted on ASM treated leaves were significantly lower than leaves sampled from the non-treated control. ASM and BABA at concentrations lower than 1.0 mM did not inhibit sporangial germination in vitro. The effect of INA, SA and SS on disease reduction was generally inconsistent and not significant compared to the non-treated control.     

Management of bacterial wilt in tomatoes with thymol and acibenzolar-S-methyl

The combination of thymol, a monoterpene phenol compound originating from thyme, and acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM; Actigard 50 WG), a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) inducer, was applied to tomato plants in field conditions to evaluate the effectiveness of both chemicals to control bacterial wilt. Thymol was applied as a soil fumigant at 9.43 kg per ha 24 h after soil infestation and seven days before transplanting. ASM was applied as a foliar spray at 3.59-8.98 ml per ha, once in the greenhouse and five times in the field. The field was inoculated by applying 50 ml of pathogen suspension (10⁷ cfu/ml) into each transplanting hole eight days prior to transplanting. The experiment was performed in 2006 and repeated in 2008 at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, FL. In 2006, the combination of ASM and thymol significantly reduced disease in the bacterial wilt tolerant genotype 7514 compared to thymol alone. In 2008, the combination of ASM and thymol significantly reduced disease and increased yield compared to the control, whereas ASM or thymol alone did not significantly reduce disease or increase yield compared to the control. This is the first report of the use of both thymol and ASM to control bacterial wilt on moderately resistant tomato cultivars. Based on this study, control of the pathogen can be achieved by using both chemicals and moderately resistant cultivars.     

Effectiveness of Combined Use of Mineral Oil and Insecticide Spray in Reducing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potato Virus Y</Emphasis> (PVY) Spread under Field Conditions in New Brunswick,Canada

In the 2014 and 2015 crop seasons, the efficacies of different types, rates and combinations of mineral oil and insecticide foliar sprays for reducing Potato virus Y (PVY) spread were tested in controlled field trials in New Brunswick (NB), Canada. Experimental plots were planted with certified PVY-free Goldrush, supplemented with known virus-infected seed to raise PVY inoculum to 2.3% and 3% at the beginning of the 2014 and 2015 seasons, respectively. Treatments consisted of mineral oil-only sprays at different application rates, insecticide-only sprays of differing numbers, and several combined mineral oil and insecticide spray regimes, all compared to a no-spray control treatment. PVY spread to 18% (2014) and 22% (2015) of initially virus-free plants in no-spray control plots, with significant reductions observed in PVY spread in several treatments. Greatest PVY reductions, as low as 4% (2014) and 12% (2015), were in combined mineral oil and insecticide spray treatments, followed by oil-only sprays; while insecticide-only sprays did not significantly reduce PVY spread. As well as measuring PVY spread to marked test plants and randomly collected post-harvest tuber sample from the plots, exhibited similar treatment pattern for PVY incidence. Multiple logistic regression modeling confirmed the relative efficacy of combined oil and insecticide sprays for reducing PVY spread, while accounting for variable inoculum and aphid factors. Modeling also highlighted the importance of planting low-PVY seed initially, and of early application of foliar sprays. Local best management practice recommendations for reduction of in-field PVY spread were discussed.     

Water productivity,nutrients uptake and quality of aerobic rice as influenced by varieties and iron nutrition

Field experiments were carried out at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi, India, during Kharif (June–October) seasons of 2011 and 2012 to study the effect of rice varieties and iron fertilization on water productivity, nutrient uptake and quality of aerobic rice. Treatments comprised of two rice varieties (PRH-10 and PS-5) and eight sources and modes of iron fertilization—control (no iron), iron sulphate @ 50 kg/ha + one foliar spray of 2.0% iron sulphate, iron sulphate @ 50 kg/ha + one foliar spray of 0.5% iron chelate, iron sulphate @ 100 kg/ha, two foliar sprays of 2.0% iron sulphate, three foliar sprays of 2.0% iron sulphate, two foliar sprays of 0.5% iron chelate and three foliar sprays of 0.5% iron chelate. Study results indicated that variety PRH-10 had higher concentration and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and iron than PS-5 variety in grain, straw and grain + straw. Three foliar sprays of 2.0% iron sulphate or 0.5% iron chelate favoured higher NPK and iron concentration and uptake in grain and straw of aerobic rice. Grain quality in respect of hulling, milling and head rice recovery was, however, superior in PS-5 than PRH-10. But the protein content was significantly higher in PRH-10 than in PS-5. Application of three foliar sprays of 2% iron sulphate and three foliar sprays of 0.5% iron chelate recorded significantly higher hulling, milling and head rice recovery as compared to control and remained statistically similar with each other. Irrigation and total water productivity was substantially higher in PRH-10 over PS-5. Growing of rice with PRH-10 recorded ~7.7% higher total water productivity as compared to PS-5, across iron fertilizations. Three or two foliar sprays of 2.0% iron sulphate or 0.5% iron chelate favoured higher irrigation and total water productivity of aerobic rice over control (no iron).     

Effect of pre-harvest calcium chloride applications on fruit calcium level and post-harvest anthracnose disease of papaya

Anthracnose disease of papaya, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz, can cause extensive postharvest losses. The goal of this research was to use pre-harvest calcium applications to reduce anthracnose disease. Six pre-harvest foliar calcium sprays were applied biweekly to papaya trees in experimental orchards at Universiti Putra Malaysia. Additional in vitro and in vivo tests were carried out to test the effect of calcium on fruit calcium content, spore germination, mycelial growth and disease severity. Calcium chloride at 1%, 1.5% and 2.0% concentrations significantly decreased spore germination. Calcium content of papaya fruit was significantly increased by calcium sprays at a concentration of 2.0% in 2012 and 2013. In vivo studies showed that increasing calcium content in fruit by calcium sprays at 1.5 and 2.0% concentrations significantly reduced anthracnose incidence of fruits during five weeks storage at 12 ± 2 °C, and delayed initiation of disease symptoms by four weeks.     

河北省一季作区马铃薯病虫害发生及综合防控

河北省一季作区马铃薯主要病虫害有晚疫病、早疫病、黑痣病和二十八星瓢虫,此外,病毒引起的品种退化比较普遍,造成不同程度的损失。本文根据河北省一季作区马铃薯病虫害发生特点总结出一套综合防控技术体系,包括将马铃薯与玉米、大白菜等非茄科作物轮作3年减轻黑痣病危害;采用脱毒薯克服病毒引起的品种退化问题;种薯和(或)土壤消毒控制黑痣病和晚疫病;待马铃薯生长至封垄后,遇到适宜晚疫病发生的天气,喷施1～3次保护性杀菌剂预防晚疫病和早疫病;一旦监测到晚疫病中心病株后即拔除并装入塑料袋带出田外,并交替喷施有治疗效果、能兼治早疫病且作用机制不同的内吸性杀菌剂及混剂;田间出现马铃薯二十八星瓢虫成虫,在杀菌剂中混入高效氯氰菊酯或高效氯氟氰菊酯等高效杀虫剂防虫;马铃薯成熟前1～2周将地上部分割掉并运出田外后收获块茎。     

Glasshouse and field evaluation of fungicides for the control of Septoria apiicola on celery

Propiconazole was more effective than either triadimenol or hexaconazole when applied after infection, for the control of Septoria apiicola on celery seedlings. In three out of four glasshouse experiments, 25 mg propiconazole I⁻¹ controlled S. apiicola completely when applied within 3 days after inoculation. Propiconazole and triadimenol at 5–15 mg l⁻¹ were also effective when applied 2 days after inoculation. Soil applications of a granular formulation of triadimenol (up to 20 mg per plant) controlled S. apiicola for 5 weeks on celery seedlings grown in pots and, in the field, granules at 100 mg per plant applied at planting were effective for 6 weeks. In two other field experiments the most effective treatments were foliar sprays of 25 mg propiconazole l⁻¹ applied every 7–10 days with or without the addition of anilazine or chlorothalonil.     

Control of chickpea blight disease caused by Didymella rabiei by mixing resistance inducer and contact fungicide

Elicitors of systemic acquired resistance are well known to reduce severity of several plant pathogenic diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses. Their field applications for management of plant diseases are, however, limited because of yield penalties. Our studies on affect of Benzo (1,2,3)-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH), an elicitor of systemic acquired resistance, on chickpea blight caused by a fungal pathogen Didymella rabiei showed that multiple foliar applications of the chemical were effective in management of the disease under economic threshold levels. Multiple applications, however, affected chickpea grain yield adversely. The BTH induced yield penalties could be prevented by foliar spray schedule comprised of BTH and a contact fungicide mancozeb. One spray of BTH (50 ppm) followed by another of mancozeb (0.2%) was less effective (8.3% severity) than three sprays of BTH (4.2% severity) in blight control, however, this treatment enhanced grain yield significantly (1.241 t ha⁻¹) over three sprays of BTH (0.922 t ha⁻¹).     

Phytophthora infestans sporangial germination and tuber rot reduced by soil residues of fungicides

Foliar sprays of Difolatan were equal to or slightly better than those of maneb for the control of late blight when applied at equivalent rates of active ingredient. Difolatan foliar sprays, in general, resulted in less late blight tuber rot than did maneb sprays. Foliar sprays of Bordeaux mixture or Difolatan produced residues of these fungicides in the soil. These residues were greater in the surface soil (0 to 1/2 inch depth) than in the 1 to 2 inch layer, but were not sufficient to inhibit indirect germination of the sporangia ofP. infestans in soil leachates. Similar results were obtained with applications of Bordeux mixture or Difolatan to the soil in the absence of any foliar spray. Residues from foliar sprays of Difolatan plus soil treatments of Difolatan or Bordeaux mixture, made before and after the last cultivation, inhibited indirect germination ofP. infestans sporangia in soil leachates from the surface soil, but not from the 1 to 2 inch layer of soil. Application of foliar sprays of Bordeaux mixture to plots given soil treatments of Difolatan before the last cultivation resulted in fungitoxic residues in the surface soil and in the 1- to 2-inch layer of soil, but not when Difolatan soil treatments were made after the last cultivation. Similar results were obtained when maneb foliar sprays were applied to plots that had received soil applications of Difolatan.     

Spray volume and fungicide rates for citrus black spot control based on tree canopy volume

The control of citrus black spot (CBS) caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa relies mainly on fungicide sprays. Generally, high and non-standardized spray volumes are adopted and the sprays are based on litre per tree or per hectare. However, the tree canopy volume may vary with age, density and variety, and this is expected to impact on the spray volume and fungicide rates needed for disease control. This study evaluated the efficacy of different fungicide spray volumes and rates for CBS control based on the tree-row-volume (TRV) concept. Two field trials were carried out during three seasons in São Paulo state, Brazil. Trials were set up in commercial orchards of late-maturing ‘Valencia’ sweet orange grown for juice production. In field trial 1, the volumes tested were 125 (standard), 100 (internal runoff point), 75 (intermediate) and 50 (half the internal runoff point) mL of spray mixture/m³ of the tree canopy. In field trial 2, 100 and 50 mL/m³ were evaluated. The fungicide rates ranged from 40 to 110 mg of metallic copper/m³ and from 1.9 to 4.7 mg of pyraclostrobin/m³. Untreated control trees (UTC) were kept unsprayed. CBS incidence and severity, premature fruit drop, yield, fungicide deposition and spray coverage were evaluated. All spray volumes tested reduced CBS incidence and severity on fruit at 75–95% and resulted in 1.6–3.0-fold higher yields than the UTC. However, a slight trend of more CBS symptoms and fruit drop, and lower yield was observed for trees treated with 50 mL/m³ compared to those treated with higher volumes. Spray volume change, from 125 to 75 mL/m³, irrespective of fungicide rate correction, led to a 40% reduction of CBS spray costs and water usage and increased the financial return of the control by up to 35%. TRV-based sprays may contribute to sustainable citrus production by reducing costs and environment impacts while maintaining efficient CBS control.     

多肽在凯特芒果上的应用效果

以9龄生凯特芒果树为试材,施用不同浓度(常规施肥+多肽500倍液、常规施肥+多肽1 000倍液、常规施肥+多肽1 500倍液、常规施肥+1 000倍多肽叶喷施、常规施肥+清水对照)的多肽,研究其对芒果吸收部分矿质营养和品质的影响.结果表明:多肽能促进芒果果实吸收N、P、K素营养和改善果实品质.施用多肽500倍液,果实中N、P、K素营养含量分别比对照高12.1%、34.7%、17.2%,可滴定酸降低44.3%,可溶性总糖提高24.6%,抗坏血酸提高59.5%.     

Control of foliar diseases by the axillary application of systemic fungicides in Brazilian coconut palms

Endemic fungal foliar diseases, such as leaf blight – LB [Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffon and Maubl] and leaf verrucosis, or “lixa-pequena” – LP [Camarotela torrendiela Batista (Bezerra) and Vitoria], reduce the productivity of the coconut palm in Brazil. Damage arises from extensive necrosis of the leaflets, resulting in early abscission of basal leaves and fruit. In Brazil, fungicide terrestrial sprayings has not been a commonly employed practice for the control of coconut foliar diseases because it is not cost-effective, once requiring high-volume of fungicide spraying. Coverage gaps and extensive drift of chemicals can occur due to technological limitations of terrestrial spraying of the tallest mature trees and is further complicated by the peculiar architecture of the palms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of systemic fungicides applied directly to the leaf axil of the coconut palm (variety Brazilian Green Dwarf of Jiqui) for the control of foliar diseases. During 2007–2010 and 2009–2012, two field plot experiments were conducted at distinct locations (farms) in the North Fluminense region. Two to 4-monthly applications of the fungicides to the leaf axil of cyproconazole (alone), cyproconazole plus azoxystrobin, cyproconazole plus trifloxystrobin, and flutriafol (alone) were efficacious in controlling coconut palm leaf diseases, resulting in a significant reduction of the LB severity and the number of necrotic LP lesions. When compared with the control treatment, significant increases in the total number of leaves per plant were observed for the most efficacious treatments after one year (2–4 leaves more) and after the second year (3–6 leaves more) after initiating the axillary applications of fungicides in both experiments. This trend continued even after the third year, when there was an average of 8 leaves more for the most efficacious treatment (27 leaves per plant) compared to control (19 leaves per plant) at the end of second experiment. The control of foliar diseases based on the results could ensure a significant increase in regional coconut production.     

Management of mango malformation disease based on a novel strategy of timing of fungicide applications combined with sanitation

Mango malformation disease (MMD) caused by Fusarium mangiferae severely affects the crop and is widely distributed in almost all mango-growing regions worldwide. Since malformed inflorescences do not bear fruit, MMD is a major constraint to crop production in affected areas. No effective management methods have been reported to date. The airborne nature of dissemination and infection of buds suggest that protection of buds from infection when inoculum prevails may be a plausible method for disease control from season to season. Various fungicides were assessed for their ability to control the pathogen under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions. Prochloraz was the most effective fungicide in inhibiting F. mangiferae in vitro with a 0.01 μg mL⁻¹ concentration required for 50% fungal growth inhibition. In greenhouse trials, protective and curative activity exceeding 90% was achieved when the fungicide was applied up to 14 days prior or post inoculation. Field experiments conducted over a number of seasons in different regions in Israel indicate that combined sanitation with timely applications of prochloraz resulted in a significant reduction in MMD disease severity and incidence, as well as a significant increase in yield in treated plots. It is assumed that long-term treatment by removal of infected panicles (the main source of inoculum) combined with timely sprays will result in disease reduction annually achieving negligible levels of malformation in treated orchards, in time.     

Dormant season foliar sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides: An effective component of integrated management for Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in citrus orchards

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a global pest of citrus and vector of Candidatus Liberibacter, a bacteria that causes huanglongbing or greening, a devastating disease of citrus. Mature citrus trees are dormant in winter and produce most new shoots in spring, followed by sporadic canopy growth in summer and fall. Young shoots are required for oviposition and nymphal development, but adults can survive and overwinter on hardened leaves. Surviving adults reproduce in spring shoots and their progeny are probably responsible for a large portion of disease spread as they disperse to search for food. Therefore, foliar sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides applied to mature trees in winter were evaluated in a commercial citrus orchard as tactic to reduce pest populations and insecticide use in spring and summer when beneficial insects are most active. A single spray of chlorpyrifos (2.8 kg a.i. ha⁻¹) in January 2007 reduced adult psyllids an average of 10-fold over six months compared to untreated trees. The following year, differences with the untreated control averaged 15-fold for over five months following a single spray of chlorpyrifos, fenpropathrin (0.34 kg a.i. ha⁻¹), or oxamyl (1.12 kg a.i. ha⁻¹) applied in January. Spiders, lacewings and ladybeetles were equally abundant during the growing season in both treated and untreated trees both years (P = 0.05). Thus foliar sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides before spring growth suppressed D. citri for five to six months, with no detectible impact on key natural enemies. This tactic has been widely adopted to control the psyllid in Florida, in some cases area-wide. Additional sprays during the growing season should be based on scouting and targeted at adults before anticipated new flush.     

Suppressing Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) with an attract-and-kill device in pome and stone fruit orchards in Western Australia

Attract-and-kill is a possible alternative to the conventional control of Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) with bait or cover sprays of organophosphate insecticides. In this study, we determined if an attract-and-kill device (MagMED^®) could be applied alone at the recommended rate (80 devices/ha), or needed to be combined with other conventional control tactics to suppress medfly in deciduous fruit orchards (apple, nectarine, peach, pear, plum). We also determined if attract-and-kill had any detrimental effects on naturally occurring beneficial insects. Based on an acceptable level of crop loss of 2–5% (the level of crop loss growers can tolerate), attract-and-kill suppressed medfly and reduced crop loss below the acceptable level in orchards with additional controls. Attract-and-kill was most effective when combined with either bait spraying, cover spraying or both. Combining attract-and-kill with cover sprays of fenthion resulted in a drop in crop loss of apples from 2.5% to 0.5%. By combining attract-and-kill with weekly bait sprays and two cover spray applications, crop loss fell from 13.7% to 4.3% in peaches, from 6.3% to 5% in nectarines and from 6.3% to 3.7% in pears. Twice weekly bait spraying was the most effective technique at suppressing medfly, providing acceptable control when applied alone, which further improved by combining with attract-and-kill. By combining attract-and-kill with twice weekly bait spraying crop loss fell from 2% to 1% in nectarines and from 4% to 2% in apples. In laboratory trials, attract-and-kill devices killed 100% of brown lacewings (Micromus tasmaniae Walker) and 94% of transverse ladybeetles (Coccinella transversalis Fabricius) 24 h after contact. However, orchard samples suggest that it may not pose any significant negative impact on naturally occurring beneficials such as Neuroptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Thysanoptera and Syrphidae in the field.     

Saccharin-induced systemic acquired resistance against rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) infection in soybean: Effects on growth and development

We examined the effect of saccharin on the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) response of soybean to the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the causal agent of soybean rust. Plants were grown hydroponically in half-strength Hoagland’s solution and were challenged with the pathogen 1, 5, 10 and 15 d after treatment with 3 mM saccharin applied either as a foliar spray or a root drench at the 2nd trifoliate (V3) and early reproductive (R1) stages. Plants were destructively harvested and assessed for visible rust symptoms 2 wk after inoculation. Mode of saccharin application was a significant factor influencing the severity of rust infection. Saccharin applied as a root drench was more effective than the foliar spray treatment at inducing SAR, with increased resistance observed 1 d after application. Systemic protection against rust infection was still apparent 15 d after application of saccharin as a root drench. In contrast, foliar treatment with saccharin did not increase systemic protection until 15 d after treatment. When systemic protection was induced by the application of saccharin in either manner, there was no significant reduction of plant growth, except when plants were inoculated 15 d after the saccharin application as a root drench at the R1 stage of development.     

Integrated management of major diseases of mungbean by seed treatment and foliar application of insecticide,fungicides and bioagent

Field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2009 and 2010 for the management of the major diseases of mungbean, namely, wet root rot (Rhizoctonia solani), cercospora leaf spots (Cercospora canescens and Pseudocercospora cruenta) and yellow mosaic (Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus) by using different combinations of an insecticide, fungicide, and bio-formulation as seed treatment, with or without foliar sprays. A combination of seed treatment with thiamethoxam (Cruiser™) at 4 g kg⁻¹, carboxin (Vitavax™) at 2 g kg⁻¹ and Pusa 5SD (Trichoderma virens) at 4 g kg⁻¹ followed by simultaneous foliar sprays of thiamethoxam (Actara™) 0.02% and carbendazim (Bavistin™) 0.05% at 21 and 35 days after sowing resulted in the highest seed germination and grain yield in mungbean with the lowest intensities of cercospora leaf spots and mungbean yellow mosaic, and moderate incidence of wet root rot. The lowest whitefly population was also observed in this treatment during all stages of the crop. The treatment combinations having Pusa 5SD as seed treatment provided the lowest wet root rot incidence. Two sprays were superior to single spray for all variables recorded, but in combination with seed treatment, single spray was found to be more cost effective as it obtained the highest return per rupee of input. Use of T. virens based bio-formulation Pusa 5SD with insecticide thiamethoxam has been effectively demonstrated for the first time along with fungicides Bavistin and Vitavax for the management of the major diseases of mungbean.     

Pre- and post-inoculation activity of a protectant and a systemic fungicide for control of anthracnose fruit rot of strawberry under different wetness durations

A protectant fungicide (Captan, a.i. captan) and a systemic fungicide (Switch, a.i. fludioxonil + cyprodinil) were evaluated as pre- and post-inoculation applications for control of anthracnose fruit rot (AFR), caused by Colletotrichum acutatum, under a short (6 or 8 h) or long (18 or 24 h) wetting period. Evaluations were conducted for two seasons in Maryland and for two seasons in Florida. Both Captan and Switch were very effective for control of AFR when applied prior to inoculation, but control was more effective under the shorter wetting period. Switch was as effective when applied 4, 8, or 24 h post-inoculation as when applied before inoculation, but control was better under the short wetting period. Captan was effective when applied 4 or 8 h after inoculation under the short wetting period, but was ineffective at 24 h post-inoculation. Post-inoculation sprays of Captan were ineffective at any time under the long wetting period. The post-infection activity of Switch allows greater flexibility for managing AFR when fungicide applications are scheduled based on weather-based decision-support systems.