Field Testing of Potential New Fungicides for Control of Powdery Mildew of Cantaloupe, 1993

Abstract

Powdery mildew of cantaloupe in Arizona is caused by the plant pathogenic fungus Sphaerotheca fuliginea. The disease is usually found in some melon fields each year; however, the incidence and severity of the disease is quite variable. Disease development is favored by low relative humidity, moderate temperatures, and succulent plant growth. Potential new fungicides were evaluated for disease control in a field trial conducted in the spring of 1993. All tested materials provided significant control when compared to untreated cantaloupe plants. In this study, none of the compounds provided disease protection significantly superior to that demonstrated by Bayleton, the fungicide currently registered for use on cantaloupes.