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POSTERS: Chemical control

Evaluation of management strategies for Fusarium crown and root rot in Michigan asparagus
Sara Getson - Michigan State University. Blair Harlan- Michigan State University, Mary Hausbeck- Michigan State University, Elizabeth Brisco- Michigan State University

Michigan is the second largest producer of asparagus nationally, generating 41% of the country’s production in 2018. Fusarium crown and root rot, caused by Fusarium spp. including F. proliferatum and F. oxysporum, is a major limiting factor for asparagus production in the state resulting in reduced yield and field longevity. Our objective was to evaluate biocontrol and fungicide products for their ability to protect asparagus crowns against crown and root rot. A greenhouse study included soil drenches of EndoMaxx (Glomus intraradices/Glomus mosseae/Glomus aggregatum/Glomus etunicatum), Actinovate (Streptomyces lydicus WYEC 108), Mycostop (Streptomyces griseoviridis), and the industry standard Cannonball (fludioxonil) on inoculated asparagus seedlings. Significant differences were observed as Cannonball resulted in increased fern weight compared to Actinovate and EndoMaxx. A non-inoculated field study compared 12 soil treatments applied to a seedling crown nursery. One-year old crowns were weighed and rated for size (1=low root mass; 4=high root mass). Presidio SC (fluopicolide) alternated with Topsin (thiophanate-methyl) and Miravis (pydiflumetofen) produced the most #4 crowns and the highest per crown weight in the first and second year of the trial, respectively. The results of these studies can be used to develop disease management strategies for asparagus seed beds which could improve the quality of crowns used to establish production fields.