Fungicide Performance for Control of Powdery Mildew on Lettuce in 2001

Abstract

Powdery mildew on lettuce is caused by the fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum. This disease is favored by moderate to warm temperatures and dry weather conditions. Several potential new fungicides were evaluated for control of powdery mildew on lettuce in 2001. Powdery mildew appeared in our plots by Jan 16 and reached high levels by plant maturity on Mar 13. Nontreated lettuce plants were heavily infected with powdery mildew at plant maturity, whereas the level of disease was low to virtually nonexistent in plots treated with BAS 500, Flint, Rally, Rally alternated with Microthiol, Microthiol and Quinoxyfen. The future availability of one or more of these chemistries under development could help in efforts to control powdery mildew of lettuce and to establish and maintain a fungicide resistance management program for plant disease control products of importance for this crop.