Influence of cavity size, seedling growing density and fungicide applications on Keithia blight of western redcedar seedling growth and field performance

To determine the influence of cavity size, seedling density and fungicide application on severity of Keithia blight caused by the fungus Didymascella thujina (Durand) Maire, western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn) seedlings were grown in styroblocks of 3 cavity sizes, thinned to 3 growing densities and sprayed several times monthly with mancozeb fungicide. After two growing seasons cavity size, seedling growing density and number of fungicide applications all significantly (p0.05) affected blight severity. Blight severity was inversely related to the number of mancozeb fungicide applications. The only significant two-way interaction was for cavity size and seedling growing density.Eighteen seedlings from each of the nine cavity sizes and seedling densities combinations were assessed for shoot height, root collar diameter and blight severity, prior to planting at both Holt Creek and Salmon Creek on Vancouver Island, British Columbia in March 1994. Growth was reassessed during October 1994. Seedling height and root collar diameter increased significantly (p0.05) with certain cavity size and seedling density combinations. Blight severity increased significantly (p0.05) for all nine treatments at both sites, however, between sites blight severity increased significantly (p0.05) only at the wetter, Salmon Creek site.