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Timing Fungicide Applications for Managing Sclerotinia Stem Rot of Potato

Fungicides were applied to potato foliage at row closure (between rows) and at full bloom of primary inflorescences to control Sclerotinia stem rot during replicated trials in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Application at row closure followed labeled recommendations from manufacturers. Incidence of Sclerotinia stem rot did not vary significantly among fungicides when full labeled rates of thiophanate-methyl, fluazinam, and boscalid were applied at full bloom of primary inflorescences. Incidence of Sclerotinia stem rot was significantly less when fungicides thiophanatemethyl, fluazinam, or boscalid were applied to potato foliage at full bloom of primary inflorescences than at row closure or when fungicides were not applied in 2004 and 2005, and when thiophanate-methyl or fluazinam was applied to potato foliage at full bloom of primary inflorescences than at row closure or when fungicides were not applied in 2003. Mean percentage of control for the fungicides combined, relative to the nontreated control, was 43, 48, and 20% in 2003, 2004, and 2005, respectively, when application was made at row closure; whereas, it was 77, 83, and 80% in 2003, 2004, and 2005, respectively, when application was at full bloom of primary inflorescences. Mean disease incidences of infected stem were significantly less when fluazinam was applied at 100% bloom of primary inflorescences than at 20% drop of blossoms from primary inflorescences in 2004 and 2005. In summary, control of Sclerotinia stem rot was significantly better when fungicides were applied at full bloom of primary inflorescences than at row closure during all 3 years of the study.