Systemicity and persistence of cymoxanil in mixture with oxadixyl and mancozeb against Phytophthora infestans and Plasmopara viticola

Uptake and translocation of the fungicide cymoxanil was studied using tomato and potato plants infected with Phytophthora infestans and grape plants infected with Plasmopara viticola. Translocation of cymoxanil was mainly translaminar and acropetal from roots and stems to leaves to an extent similar to that of the phenylamide fungicide oxadixyl. Basipetal translocation from upper to lower leaves, as well as lateral movement, was also observed but to a lesser extent. Plant parts that grew after application were protected against P. infestans and P. viticola because of systemic activity up to 7 days by cymoxanil alone and up to 14 days when cymoxanil was used as part of a three-way mixture with oxadixyl and mancozeb. Drench application of cymoxanil and a simultaneous spray application of mancozeb against P. infestans and P. viticola resulted in a significant synergistic interaction. The spray application of the three-way mixture oxadixyl/mancozeb/cymoxanil was more effective against both sensitive and phenylamide-resistant strains of P. infestans and P. viticola than the individual components alone, representing significant levels of synergistic interactions. Synergy ratios were higher for resistant than for sensitive strains of both pathogens.