| Abstract: | In an attempt to reduce or eliminate the need for spraying to control potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans, investigations were made on the use of controlled-release granules containing the systemic fungicide ofurace. The granules when mixed with sand and buried in soil released the fungitoxicant for about 100 days. When the granules were applied in furrows at planting, protection of potato plants (cv. Maris Bard), assessed by inoculation of detached leaflets with P. infestans, lasted for between 85 and 100 days. Application of the granules when the plants were earthed up 48 days after planting did not result in better late-season protection, possibly due to poorer uptake of the fungitoxicant by the plants at this time. Chemical analysis of leaves from plants that had received in-furrow treatment indicated that ofurace at 0.2–0.5 μg g?1 fresh weight was needed to confer protection from late blight. |
