Fungicide Selection and Application Timing for Management of Peanut Pod Rot
L. D. Thiessen
Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Campus Box 42122, Lubbock, TX 79404, USA.
J. E. Woodward *
Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Campus Box 42122, Lubbock, TX 79404, USA. and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 1102 E. FM 1294, Lubbock, TX, 79403, USA.
K. L. Ong
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 1500 Research Pkwy, Room 130, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the effect of fungicide regimes and application timing on pod rot incidence, peanut yield, grades, and diseased kernels.
Study Design: Randomized complete block design with nine treatments and four replicates.
Place and Duration of Study: Studies were conducted during the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons on producers farms located west of Seminole, Texas in Gaines County.
Methodology: Rows were spaced 101.6 cm apart on raised beds. Plot size was four rows wide by 304.8 m in length. Fungicide regimes comprised of azoxystrobin and/or mefenoxam, or flutolanil were evaluated. Initial applications were made 68 or 82 days after planting (DAP) with subsequent applications occurring 30 days later. All fungicides were applied in a 50.8 cm band.
Results: In 2010, the percentage of pods affected and percent damaged kernels were reduced by early applications of mefenoxam and azoxystrobin. The flutolanil treatment in 2010 showed the greatest improvement in yield compared to the control. The 2011 trial was greatly affected by drought, and no appreciable differences were seen for any of the parameters evaluated. Despite pod set in this region not occurring later than 82 DAP, early fungicide applications at 68 DAP provided better control of pod rot in peanuts in this region than later applications beginning at 82 DAP in 2010, and no appreciable differences were seen in 2011.
Conclusion: Trends were not consistent between the two years, thus conclusions or recommendations on fungicide selection and application timing are lacking.Further studies are needed to better identify when applications should be initiated to minimize losses due to pod rot. Identifying the ideal application timing of fungicides for the High Plains production region.
Keywords: Arachis hypogaea L., pod rot complex, pythium and rhizoctonia, disease control, fungicides