Field Testing of Potential New Fungicides for Control of Lettuce Diseases, 1993

Abstract

Several diseases caused by plant pathogenic fungi can cause economic losses to lettuce growers in Arizona. Leaf drop of lettuce is caused by Sclerotinia minor and S. sclerotiorum, while downy and powdery mildew are caused by Bremia lactucae and Erysiphe cichoracearum, respectively. Cool and moist environmental conditions favor development of leaf drop and downy mildew, while warmer and dry weather is conducive for development of powdery mildew. Potential new fungicides were evaluated for control of these diseases during the winter of 1992-93. For leaf drop, two nonregistered materials, Fluazinam and Topsin M, controlled disease at least well as the standard registered fungicides. Fluazinam and Aliette provided equivalent control of downy mildew, while Fluazinam but not Aliene significantly reduced the severity of powdery mildew on lettuce.