Yield performance and pest resistance among peanut genotypes when grown without fungicides or insecticides

Yield trials without fungicides or insecticides were conducted four consecutive years (2007–10) at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton Campus to evaluate for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) pest resistance. The most endemic diseases in the southeast U.S. are tomato spotted wilt (TSW) caused by Tomato spotted wilt virus, white mold (WM) caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc, and both early and late leaf spot caused by Cercospora arachidicola Hori and Cercosporidium personatum (Berk & Curt.) Deighton, respectively. The most endemic insects are tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fusca Hinds) and potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae Harris). Results from these replicated field tests showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among advanced Georgia breeding lines and cultivars. Three Georgia cultivars ‘Georgia-01R’, ‘Georgia-05E’, and ‘Georgia-10T’ consistently produced among the best yields with high levels of resistance to TSW, white mold, leafhoppers, and leaf spot each year. Georgia-01R is a multiple-pest-resistant, runner-type cultivar with late maturity; whereas, Georgia-05E is a multiple-pest-resistant, virginia-type cultivar with medium-late maturity. Georgia-10T is a new runner-type cultivar with high level of TSWV and white mold resistance and late-maturity, similar to Georgia-01R, one of its parents. However, Georgia-10T does not appear to have the high level of leaf spot and leafhopper resistance as Georgia-01R, but it still had high yields in the absence of fungicides or insecticides.     

Fungicidal control of groundnut leaf spot and rust in Nigeria

Four systemic fungicide formulations (tridemorph, tridemorph plus maneb, carbendazim and benomyl) and three non-systemic fungicides (captafol, mancozeb and copper oxychloride) were evaluated in field trials at two locations in Nigeria in 1981 and 1982 for control of early leaf spot (Mycosphaerella arachidis Deighton, stat: conid: Cercospora arachidicola Hori), late leaf spot (Mycosphaerella berkleyi W. A. Jenkins, stat: conid: Cercosporidium personatum (Berk. & Curt.) Deighton) and rust (Puccinia arachidis Speg.) of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Plots receiving mancozeb and tridemorph plus maneb showed best overall disease control and highest yields, followed by copper oxychloride. Benomyl and carbendazim controlled leaf spots predominantly while tridemorph controlled only rust. Captafol gave little overall disease control with yields only slightly better than untreated controls. Further tests are planned for tridemorph plus maneb and copper oxychloride using different concentrations and spray schedules.     

Sensitivity of Cercospora sojina isolates to quinone outside inhibitor fungicides

Frogeye leaf spot, caused by Cercospora sojina, causes yield reductions to soybean (Glycine max) grown worldwide. Quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides have been effective in managing frogeye leaf spot, but the risk of selecting C. sojina strains with resistance to this class of fungicides is considered high. A QoI fungicide resistance monitoring program was initiated, in which sensitivities to azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin were determined in C. sojina isolates collected prior to QoI fungicide use on soybean (baseline group) and C. sojina isolates collected from soybean fields in 2007, 2008 and 2009. For the baseline group, the mean effective fungicide concentration at which 50% of the conidial germination was inhibited (EC₅₀) was determined to be 0.01287, 0.00028 and 0.00116 μg ml⁻¹ for azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin, respectively. When mean EC₅₀ values of 2007, 2008 and 2009 C. sojina isolates were compared to baseline C. sojina EC₅₀ values, a small but statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) shift towards less sensitivity was observed for trifloxystrobin in 2009. Although small (<1.5-fold), this shift in sensitivity indicates a risk of selecting for C. sojina strains with reduced sensitivity to QoI fungicides, and fungicide sensitivities should continue to be monitored in the future.     

Effects of a range of fungicides used to control rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae) on spring-sown field beans (Vicia faba) in the UK

In two years a range of fungicides was used to control rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae) on spring-sown field beans (Vicia faba). In 1984 fenpropimorph, maneb, mancozeb, maneb plus mancozeb, propiconazole, thiram, triadimefon and zineb-polyethylene thiuram disulphide plus tridemorph were applied once or twice and compared with no fungicide. In 1985 the experiment was repeated with the addition of benodanil. In 1984 there was very little rust or other foliar disease and the effects of treatments on yield were small. In 1985 rust was first found in late June and became severe on untreated plots in August. All the fungicides reduced the incidence of rust but the amount of control differed with frequency of application and on different dates of disease assessment. In 1985 chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae) also became severe in late August. All the fungicides reduced chocolate spot but maneb plus mancozeb was the most effective. In 1985 yields were increased from 5 · 6 to 7 · 7 t/ha by maneb plus mancozeb applied once. Other fungicides gave smaller yield increases. Yield increases given were attributable mainly to control of rust but partly to control of chocolate spot. Yield increases given by non-systemic fungicides came mainly from increases in the weight of individual grains; those yield increases given by systemic materials came, in addition, from better pod retention.     

US-8 and US-11 genotypes ofPhytophthora infestans from potato and tomato respond differently to commercial fungicides

Isolates ofPhytophthora infestans collected in Canada in 1997 from both potatoes and tomatoes, were tested on potato leaf discs for their response to an equal active ingredient concentration (10 μg a.i./mL) of the following commercial fungicides: Acrobat MZ (Dimethomorph and Mancozeb), Ridomil Gold (metalaxyl-m), Dithane (Mancozeb), Curzate (Cymoxanil), Bravo (Chlorothalonil), and Tattoo C (Propamocarb and Chlorothalonil). Relative percent leaf infection values, estimated on fungicide-treated vs fungicide-free leaf discs, were compared among isolates from the US-8 and US-11 genotypes isolated from the two host plants. Based on an equal concentration of each fungicide’s active ingredients, variations in relative percent leaf infection were recorded between US-8 and US-11 genotypes, and between potato and tomato isolates within each genotype. Bravo and Tattoo C used with similar active ingredients concentrations were the most inhibitory to all groups of isolates. Dithane and Ridomil Gold provided uniform low inhibition againstP. infestans when tested on potato leaf discs. The different behavior ofP. infestans isolates from potato vs tomato suggests that management of late blight in these two important crops must take such differences into consideration. In particular, the nature and concentration of the fungicides to be applied must take into account any information available about genotypes present on each crop.     

Integrated management of major wheat diseases in Brazil: an example for the Southern Cone region of Latin America

Wheat is an important crop in the Southern Cone region of Latin America. Some of the common wheat diseases in this region are Xanthomonas streak, spot blotch, tan spot, and leaf blotch and the rusts. Rice blast on wheat could also be a problem in certain years. Disease management through varietal resistance, cultural practices including appropriate fungicidal spraying schedule, levels of tolerance for field and seed infections and seed treatment criteria, have been integrated and used for several years in Brazil. Emphasis in integrated disease management (IDM) is on reduction in use of fungicides and consequently in the cost of production. Wheat productivity in Brazil has almost doubled during the past 10 years, owing mainly to the IDM approach. The IDM practices used in Brazil for each of the major diseases can also be adopted in other Latin-American countries with similar agroecosystems.     

五种杀菌剂对花生褐斑病菌室内毒力的影响和田间药效

为了筛选对花生褐斑病田间防治效果好的杀菌剂,结合室内毒力测定(菌丝生长速率法和载玻片萌发法)和田间小区药效试验对四种杀菌剂与常规使用的杀菌剂多菌灵进行了比较。结果表明,室内毒力测定中,多菌灵对菌丝的抑制效果最强,抑菌率为91.4%;其余四种供试杀菌剂中以咪酰胺效果最好,抑菌率达85.6%;王铜效果最差;多菌灵对分生孢子的抑制率为60.9%,其余四种杀菌剂效果差异不显著。田间药效试验结果显示,咪酰胺2 000mg/kg对花生褐斑病的田间防治效果达60.62%,远远高于对照药剂多菌灵(15.53%)以及其它三种供试杀菌剂(王铜、爱可和戊唑醇)。此外咪酰胺比清水对照增产32.28%,也远远高于其它几种药剂。通过室内毒力试验和田间药效试验表明,田间杀菌剂防治花生褐斑病时,咪酰胺比对照药剂多菌灵具有更好的防治效果,适用于花生褐斑病重病地区。     

Sensitivity of Cercospora beticola isolates from Serbia to carbendazim and flutriafol

Cercospora beticola, causal agent of Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) of sugar beet, is primarily controlled by fungicides. Benzimidazole and demethylation inhibiting fungicides, including carbendazim and flutriafol, have been widely used in Serbia. Since these fungicide groups have a site-specific mode of action, there is a high risk for developing resistance in target organisms, which is the most important limiting factor in Cercospora leaf spot chemical control. A rapid identification of flutriafol and carbendazim resistance can help researchers in examining the potential of different fungicide resistance management practices, as well as in selection of fungicides for use in the areas where resistance has occurred. One hundred single-conidia isolates were collected from 70 representative locations of the sugar beet production region in Serbia. Evaluation of the isolates' sensitivity was based on the reduction of mycelial growth on medium amended with 1.25 μg mL⁻¹ flutriafol and 5 μg mL⁻¹ carbendazim. Resistance to flutriafol and carbendazim was detected in 16% and 96% of the tested isolates, respectively. All isolates resistant to flutriafol were resistant to carbendazim as well, which is the first report of a double resistance to fungicides in C. beticola. Detection of the isolates resistant to flutriafol and carbendazim using Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS) markers confirmed the results of the in vitro tests. The efficacy of carbendazim, flutriafol, azoxystrobin, and tetraconazole at commercially recommended doses was evaluated in field trials where sugar beet plants in plots were inoculated with a mixture of isolates either sensitive and/or resistant to flutriafol and carbendazim. Carbendazim and flutriafol efficacy was very low in plots inoculated with isolates resistant to these fungicides. Presented results will contribute to development of a pathogen population sensitivity monitoring strategy that could be used for an effective CLS management in the region.     

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 peanut diseases with reduced input fungicide programs in fields with varying levels of disease risk

Field experiments were conducted in 2003 and 2004 to evaluate full and reduced input fungicide programs in peanut fields with varying levels of risk for the peanut leaf spot complex (caused by Cercospora arachidicola and Cercosporidium personatum). Fungicides applications were made on a 14-, 21-, or 28-day interval (d.i.). Leaf spot intensity was similar for all programs in fields considered to be low or moderate risk; however, there was more leaf spot in plots treated on a 28-d.i. for high risk fields. Incidence of stem rot (caused by Sclerotium rolfsii) was lower in plots treated with soilborne-based programs than those treated with foliar-based programs. Control for the 21- and 28-d.i. soilborne-based programs was comparable to that for the 14-d.i. program in all trials except the high risk situations where plots treated on the 28- d.i. had higher levels of stem rot. Pod yields were similar among application intervals for all trials. Based on these results, reductions in the number of fungicide applications can be made without compromising leaf spot control, stem rot control, or yield.     

Redesigning Industrial Agroecosystems

Summary

The development and mixed benefits of high-input industrial agriculture are reviewed, then illustrated with findings from a Georgia landscape study. As a basis for considering ways to reduce the serious negative aspects of industrial agriculture, we compared the basic ecological energetics and processes of natural ecosystems with pre-industrial, industrial, and reduced-input conservation tillage agroecosystems. We also reviewed our 20-year comparison of conventional tillage with no-till systems. The conclusion is that current trends to redesign industrial agriculture along the lines of reduced-input conservation tillage systems should be accelerated in order to maintain and restore soil quality, and to reduce pollution and soil erosion at the landscape scale.     

芝麻棒孢叶斑病的发生规律和高效防治药剂的筛选

芝麻棒孢叶斑病是芝麻常发性病害,严重影响着芝麻的产量和品质。为确定芝麻棒孢叶斑病防治的最佳时期,制定有效的药剂防治措施,2017-2019年对黄淮芝麻主产区平舆县的棒孢叶斑病发生情况进行了监测,并测定了16种杀菌剂的室内毒力和田间防效。结果表明,芝麻棒孢叶斑病的发生初期为现蕾期-初花期,病情发展的转折期为初花期-盛花初期(黄淮产区为7月20日-31日,此时田间发病率小于3%或病情指数小于1)。16种供试杀菌剂中己唑醇、咪鲜胺、氟硅唑、戊唑醇、苯醚甲环唑、腐霉利、噻呋酰胺和咯菌腈对芝麻棒孢叶斑病菌的毒力较强,EC₅₀分别为1.5734×10^-4、0.1248、0.7128、1.3922、2.0014、2.7323、5.4327、6.1285 mg/L;噻呋酰胺、己唑醇、嘧菌酯、戊唑醇和苯醚甲环唑的田间防效和增产效果较好,防效分别为67.19%、65.86%、61.17%、60.87%、61.83%,增产率分别为38.96%、36.86%、39.72%、34.96%、38.56%;苯醚甲环唑、己唑醇、嘧菌酯和戊唑醇施药2次的防效和增产效果最佳。综...     

Barley yield in water-stress conditions.: The influence of precocity,osmotic adjustment and stomatal conductance

The behavior of eight cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes consisting of three breeding lines and five cultivars varieties was studied in a rain shelter to determine the influence of osmotic adjustment and stomatal conductance on drought tolerance and yield under terminal water stress. When the crop reached the flag leaf stage, half of the experimental plots were submitted to a water-stress treatment and the remainder maintained in optimal water conditions. Variation was observed in osmotic adjustment (OA) and stomatal conductance among the genotypes under stress. Two of the breeding lines exhibited the highest OA capacity. These lines also showed the least differences in stomatal conductance and maintained the highest stomatal conductance as water stress increased. Correlations between yield and OA and conductance in the water-stress treatment were positive and significant. In the irrigated control the correlation coefficients were smaller. Osmotic adjustment and stomatal conductance were linearly related, indicating that OA favors higher conductance when there is water stress. Under conditions of terminal drought yield was negatively correlated with time to ear emergence and maturity. Earliness to flower and OA contributed to greater yields under terminal water stress.     

Evaluation of sprinkler application of fungicides for control of potato early blight in Colorado

Sprinkler application of four fungicides, Du-Ter 47.5% W.P. (0.70 kg/ha), Difolatan 4F (3.51 1/ha), Bravo W-75 (1.68 kg/ha) and Bravo 500 (1.17 1/ha, 1.761/ha and 2.341/ha) were evaluated in Colorado for control of potato early blight caused byAlternaria solani (Ellis & G. Martin) L.R. Jones and Grout and compared to the conventional method of airplane application. Fungicides applied through center pivot irrigation systems generally achieved disease control equal to airplane application. Application of fungicides through both center pivot sprinklers and by airplane effectively reduced early blight infection. Control of early blight by airplane or sprinkler application of fungicides significantly (P = 0.05) increased potato yields in 1978. In other years (1977, 1979 and 1980) fungicide applications which reduced disease severity generally increased tuber yields but the increases were not significant when compared to the control.     

New host resistances to Pseudocercosporella capsellae and implications for white leaf spot management in Brassicaceae crops

Effective host resistance is the most cost-effective long term prospect for successful management of white leaf spot disease (Pseudocercosporella capsellae) in Brassicaceae. In two separate field trials, 168 genotypes were screened. In the first trial, lines of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (59), Brassica napus (34), Brassica juncea (6) and B. juncea containing wild weedy Brassicaceae introgression(s) (14) were arranged; and in the second, Australian historic and current B. napus (45) and B. juncea (10) varieties were screened. There was wide variation in expression of resistance, from complete resistance to highly susceptible as assessed by two disease parameters, viz. (i), Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) for percent leaves diseased (values 0–221.2) and (ii) Percent Leaf Collapse Index (%LCI) values for leaf collapse due to disease (0–38.7). Brassica oleracea var. capitata was overall the most resistant species, while B. juncea the most susceptible with the majority having AUDPC values >75 and B. napus was intermediate. Five B. oleracea var. capitata genotypes were completely resistant, with 0 AUDPC and %LCI values. Pioneer^® 45Y22 (RR) ‘Mystic’ and ‘Wahoo’ were also highly resistant, with the least %LCI (<3.7) and AUDPC (<20) of the Australian B. napus varieties. In contrast, ‘Thunder TT’ (AUDPC -133.6; %CLI – 15.6) and ‘Carbine’ (AUDPC – 73.8; %CLI – 12.5) were the most susceptible lines in first and second trials, respectively. The particularly high susceptibility of newly released B. juncea varieties such as ‘Xceed OasisCL’ highlights the risk of significant losses in such susceptible varieties when deployed in areas with high degree of pressure for white leaf spot disease. There was no association between AUDPC or % CLI with year of Australian varietal release, indicating that Australian breeding programs not made improvement for resistance to white leaf spot over the past two or more decades. Resistant varieties identified in this experiment can now not only be utilized in breeding programs to significantly improve overall crop resistance and management of white leaf spot disease, but also directly deployed to lower the severe inoculum load challenging current varieties.     

Assessment of phenotypic diversity of Plasmopara viticola on Vitis genotypes with different resistance

The lack of characterized isolates of Plasmopara viticola is a very limiting issue in the management of downy mildew of grapevine. Although molecular studies have previously confirmed a high diversity of this pathogen, there are still no phenotypically characterized pathotype strains or races available which could be used to study the mechanisms of interaction with host genotypes of different resistance. A leaf disk inoculation technique was used to assess the variability of reactions of six different Vitis genotypes infected with single sporangial clones of five field isolates of P. viticola from different geographical origins. The virulence of thirty P. viticola clones was characterized on grapevine cultivars (Müller-Thurgau, Regent and Cabernet Cortis) and wild species (Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris, Vitis rupestris and Vitis riparia) with different susceptibility to downy mildew. Five categories ranging from full susceptibility with profuse and not clearly restricted sporulation (type A) to complete resistance with no sporulation or necrotic reaction (type E) were defined to evaluate the pathogen phenotype. A high variation of pathotypes was found amongst the samples from different field accessions and an unexpected variability was observed even between the cloned strains from the same field. This also accounted for the fungicide tolerance against the two most common fungicides, metalaxyl-M (Phenyl Amide group) and dimethomorph (Carboxylic Acid Amide group), where clones showing high sensitivity and high tolerance to the one or both fungicides were found within the same field. The virulence patterns found within clones of single field isolates supports previous reports that numerous genotypes may be involved in the infection of a single plant or even a single leaf. Moreover, the study provides a methodology to identify and select specific host–pathogen combination suitable for future studies in mechanisms of grapevine downy mildew interaction.     

Assessing the relationship between endosperm type and grain yield potential in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench).

Sorghum hybrids with waxy endosperm (either homozygous or heterozygous waxy) have lower grain yield potential compared to non-waxy endosperm hybrids. The cause of this yield reduction is not known. From a genetic perspective, the yield reduction could be due to pleiotrophy or genetic linkage between the wx locus and other loci that influence grain yield. The specific cause of the relationship is important because an effective breeding program can alleviate the problem if it is due to linkage. The objective of this study was to determine whether linkage or pleiotrophy is causing the negative relationship between grain yield and waxy endosperm. From each of two F₂ breeding populations segregating for waxy endosperm, between 40 and 50 inbred lines were derived, with equal numbers of waxy and non-waxy endosperm lines. No selection for yield was practiced during the development of these lines. The lines from these two populations and a set of testcross hybrids (derived from one population) were evaluated in four environments in Texas from 1998 to 2000. Across all tests and environments, the combined yield of the waxy genotypes was 17% lower than non-waxy genotypes. While yields were lower in waxy genotypes, analysis of the individual inbred lines and hybrids revealed that several waxy inbred lines were not statistically different from the best non-waxy inbreds. These results imply that selection of high yielding waxy genotypes is possible, but a significant breeding emphasis on their development is required to effectively identify those genotypes.     

Activities of azoxystrobin and difenoconazole against Alternaria alternata and their control efficacy

Tobacco brown spot caused by Alteraria alternata is a devastating disease of tobacco worldwide. In this study, we reported the effects of a strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin and a sterol inhibitor difenoconazole on mycelial growth, spore germination, and control of brown spot. Both mycelial growth and spore germination bioassay results showed that sensitivity of A. alternata to difenoconazole was significantly lower than that to azoxystrobin. Azoxystrobin and the compound of azoxystrobin plus difenoconazole provided excellent control efficacy on tobacco brown spot in field. Disease control efficacies for three sprays of azoxystrobin at doses of 0.094, 0.19 and 0.28 Kg a.i./ha, of azoxystrobin plus difenoconazole at 0.15, 0.22 and 0.29 Kg a.i./ha, and of difenoconazole at 0.12 Kg a.i./ha were between 86.00% and 89.67%, between 86.14% and 89.23%, and between 55.14 and 58.41%, respectively. No phytotoxic symptoms were observed for the fungicides in field. These fungicides could potentially be used for brown spot control in tobacco.     

Genetic Relationship and Structure Analysis of Root Growth Angle for Improvement of Drought Avoidance in Early and Mid-Early Maturing Rice Genotypes

Deeper rooting 1(Dro1) and Deeper rooting 2(Dro2) are the QTLs that contribute considerably to root growth angle assisting in deeper rooting of rice plant. In the present study, a set of 348 genotypes were shortlisted from rice germplasm based on root angle study. Screening results of the germplasm lines under drought stress identified 25 drought tolerant donor lines based on leaf rolling, leaf drying, spikelet fertility and single plant yield. A panel containing 101 genotypes was constituted based on screening results and genotyped using Dro1 and Dro2 markers. Structure software categorized the genotypes into four sub-populations with different fixation index values for root growth angle. The clustering analysis and principal coordinate analysis could differentiate the genotypes with or without deeper rooting trait. The dendrogram constructed based on the molecular screening for deep rooting QTLs showed clear distinction between the rainfed upland cultivars and irrigated genotypes. Eleven genotypes, namely Dular, Tepiboro, Surjamukhi, Bamawpyan, N22, Dinorado, Karni, Kusuma, Bowdel, Lalsankari and Laxmikajal, possessed both the QTLs, whereas 67 genotypes possessed only Dro1. The average angle of Dro positive genotypes ranged from 82.7° to 89.7°. These genotypes possessing the deeper rooting QTLs can be taken as donor lines to be used in marker-assisted breeding programs.     

Disease control and yield improvement obtained with fungicide applications to spring wheat in South Africa

Foliar sprays containing benzimidazole and/or compounds inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis in fungi were tested for their effects on spring wheat at different localities in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Fungicide treatments caused significant yield increases (P > 0.05) at most of the localities where plants were sprayed at Zadok's growth stages 31 and 39. Plants were affected by physiological leaf spot, which occurred in all localities. At one locality good control of leaf rust (Pucdnia recondita f.sp. tritici) was obtained with triazole-containing sprays, but not with imidazole- and benzimidazole-containing sprays. Lodging due to eyespot (Tapesia yallundae) occurred at another locality where it was partially controlled by benzimidazole-containing fungicide mixtures. Fungicides had little or no effect on yield when planting date was delayed or when the rate of soil-applied nitrogen on fallow land was increased. The study indicates that in the Western Cape Province growth regulating effects, rather than fungicidal effects of fungicides, are often responsible for yield increases of wheat.