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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Ithaca, New York » Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture & Health » Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #420207
Research Project: Biology and Management of Invasive Plant Pathogens Affecting Potato and Soybean

Location: Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research

Title: Application methods and timings of fungicide products for target spot (Rhizoctonia solani) management of burley tobacco

Author
item TURNER, ASHTON - University Of Tennessee
item Hansen, Zachariah
item RICHMOND, MITCHELL - University Of Tennessee

Submitted to: Coresta Congress Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/2/2024
Publication Date: 10/16/2024
Citation: Turner, A., Hansen, Z.R., Richmond, M.D. 2024. Application methods and timings of fungicide products for target spot (Rhizoctonia solani) management of burley tobacco. Coresta Congress Proceedings. CORTESA Congress 2024.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Rhizoctonia solani, a soilborne basidiomycete fungus, is an important pathogen of tobacco in the southeastern U.S causing the disease target spot. Current recommendations include proper nitrogen fertility, crop rotation, deep turning of crop residues, maintaining mowed field borders, and timely harvest. After infection, burley tobacco producers in the US rely on the systemic fungicide azoxystrobin, which has a single-site mode of action, in rotation with mancozeb or copper. Heavy reliance on azoxystrobin raises significant concern for fungicide resistance for target spot control. There is a need to explore different fungicide active ingredients and alternative management practices to improve the sustainability of target spot disease management. The objectives of this research are to (1) evaluate another fungicide product (pydiflumetofen and difenoconazole (Miravis Top)) applied preventatively (before disease is observed) compared to azoxystrobin; and (2) determine the efficacy of fungicide applications when applied using drop nozzles for late season applications compared to broadcast applications. Preliminary results show positive yield response when fungicides are applied preventatively compared to reactively. Additionally, fungicides applied with a drop nozzle arrangement at topping performed better in terms of yield compared to broadcast application. Preliminary results for disease control, growth characteristics, yield, and leaf quality will be presented.