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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Research Project #429569

Research Project: Minor Use Pesticide Testing on Floral and Nursery Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Research Unit

2017 Annual Report


Objectives
Evaluate various fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides for phytotoxicity and/or efficacy on floral and nursery crop plants in support of label expansion through the IR-4 regional project.


Approach
Selected floral and nursery crop species will be grown in the greenhouse, ground beds, or field plantings and treated according to specific protocols (timing, concentrations) with selected fungicides, insecticides, or herbicides. In some cases, chemicals will be tested for efficacy, but mostly they will be tested on plants for phytotoxicity. Data will be submitted for inclusion in the IR-4 Minor Use Testing Program.


Progress Report
Researchers in Corvallis, Oregon are conducting 20 crop safety trials. Trials were conducted with fungicides on a wide range of plant material, includes: 4 trials using Tourney 50WDG, 2 trials with Mural (A18126B) WDG, 5 trials using BAS703 06F/BAS703 01F, 2 with Alibi Flora (A13703G) SC, 3 trials using S2200 4SC and 4 trials conducted using OxiPhos. The results of these tests were reported to the IR-4 project at Rutgers University and are forwarded to the product manufacturer to be used in their request to expand the label to include the tested ornamental plants. Eventually, with label expansion, growers should be able to legally use these chemicals on ornamental nursery crops. All objectives were achieved. This information will aid significantly in registering novel fungicides or biologicals for managing diseases of minor crops including ornamentals. ARS scientists are also evaluating the efficacy of select fungicides and biocontrol agents against Phytophthora plurivora on detached Rhododendron leaves. Seven chemicals were tested. These included A21008A, BAS703, MBI-110 (Bacillus amyloliquifaciens strain F727), PreStop (Gliocladium catenulatum strain J1446), Proud 3 (Thyme Oil), Rhapsody and Micora, plus a control group. Experiments were conducted by applying fungicides to Rhododendron catawbiense 'Album' plants in one gallon containers. Disease severity was determined by evaluating lesion area from digital images. Disease development was analyzed and reported. This information improves best management practices for use of fungicides to control plant pathogens of ornamentals.


Accomplishments