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Lexington, KY 40546

Online at: www.uky.edu/KPN

Number 1331
CORN - Use of Strobilurin Fungicides by Top-Yielding Corn Producers in 2012 TOBACCO - Managing Rhizoctonia Diseases in Tobacco Float Systems - Pythium Root Rot in the Float System

March 12, 2013


FRUIT CROPS - Perennial Canker of Peach -Spotted Wing Drosophila Management in KY

GREENHOUSE
- One weird trick for spider mite control in the greenhouse DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY HIGHLIGHTS

CORN Use of Strobilurin Fungicides by Top-Yielding Corn Producers in 2012 By Paul Vincelli and Don Hershman, Extension Plant Pathologists. Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist Fungicides in the strobilurin class (or strobi class) are highly effective products for control of certain important corn diseases. Brand names such as Headline , Quadris , Stratego , Evito , Fortix and Approach contain strobilurin fungicides 1. Strobilurin fungicides are excellent for preventative control of gray leaf spot, northern leaf blight, and southern rust, all of which are concerns in Kentucky corn production. According to the 2012 National Corn Yield Contest results (report available at: http://www.ncga.com/for-farmers/national-cornyield-contest), 40% of top-yielding producers 2
Note: Strobilurin fungicides include pyraclostrobin (the active ingredient in Headine), azoxystrobin (the a.i. in Quadris), trifloxystrobin (one of two a.i.s in Stratego), fluoxastrobin (the a.i. in Evito and one of two a.i.s in Fortix), picoxystrobin (the a.i. in Approach), and several other pre-mix fungicides. 2 The report provides state-by-state results for anywhere from one to three growers in each production class. All of these were included in our count.
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used a foliar strobilurin fungicide at least once in their contest-winning field. Of course, of this also means that 60% of the top-yielding producers did not apply a foliar fungicide treatment in their contest-winning field. If we look at the 2012 Kentucky Yield Contest results (at http://www.uky.edu/Ag/GrainCrops/YieldContest/ CornYieldContest/2012CornContest_WinnersProd uctionSummary.pdf), we find that only one of nine Kentucky winners used a foliar spray of a strobilurin fungicide in their contest-winning field. The above indicates that high-yield corn producers sometimesthough not alwaysperceive a benefit from applying a strobilurin fungicide in high-yield fields. Some of the national winners reported applying fungicide in order to reduce stress on crops, whereas others reported applying them for disease control. Strobilurin fungicides do sometimes promote growth and leaf health even in the absence of significant disease pressure, and this can sometimes result in an economic benefit (even a very substantial one). However, these stressreducing and growth-promoting effects are variable from field to field and year to year, ranging from a yield loss of 5+ bushels to a 20+

bushel yield increase. Given that many of the national winners that applied fungicide farm in states with high humidity, we suspect a substantial number of them applied fungicide for reasons of disease control (though we dont know for sure, since survey data are unavailable). What does this mean for producers? Strobilurin fungicides are effective sometimes, but cost money when they are not. Disease risk is still the best guidance for deciding whether a strobilurin application might provide an economic return. Figure 1 provides a summary of disease risk factors. The more of these that are in place, the more likely a producer is to see an economic benefit. For example, it may make sense to apply a strobilurin to a bottom field under irrigation, or a field of corn-after-corn under conservation tillage. Since crop response to strobilurin fungicides can be so variable, there is no substitute to running your own strip trials. Extension agents can provide guidelines on ways to optimize the information you get from a strip trial. Always be sure to leave agronomically similar untreated control strips for comparison.

TOBACCO Managing Rhizoctonia Diseases in Tobacco Float Systems By Kenny Seebold, Extension Plant Pathologist Tobacco transplant production is now underway Kentucky, and disease management is probably not at the top of the list of concerns for many producers. Were very early in the production cycle and weather conditions have been on the cool side, so for now theres not much risk to any of the major diseases that occur on tobacco transplants. Things will change, though, as we move into April. Temperatures will rise, and these warmer temperatures will bring in increased risk to Rhizoctonia damping-off and, later, target spot. Taking steps early in the transplant season can help reduce the likelihood of losses to these diseases before plants go to the field. The following are suggested practices for managing Rhizoctonia damping-off and target spot effectively. Detailed information about these diseases can be found in the fact sheet PPFS-AGT-02, Managing Target Spot and Rhizoctonia Damping-Off in the Float System, available online at www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/ext_file s/PPFShtml/ppfsagt2.pdf. Damping-off Infested soil or Styrofoam trays are the most common sources of R. solani in transplant production. Sclerotia and dormant hyphae associated with organic debris are the principal resting structures of R. solani. These can be found easily on the surfaces of infested trays and in cracks and crevices in older Styrofoam trays. Infested trays thus become a source of inoculum in subsequent years if not sanitized properly or replaced. Using new trays for each crop of transplants will all but eliminate the risk of carrying over inoculum from previous transplant cycles, but this option can be expensive and may create issues with disposal of old trays. Used trays should be sanitized properly (refer to ID-160, The 2013-2014 Kentucky-Tennessee Tobacco Production Guide, for more information) to reduce carryover of inoculum.

Figure 1. Decision guide for determining the likelihood of an economic response to foliar strobilurin fungicide in corn in Kentucky. The higher on the list, the more important the factor.

Minimizing leaf and stem wetness should be a priority, and providing adequate ventilation to plants will help keep plants as dry as possible. Properly-timed fungicide applications can be effective in controlling damping-off. We get reasonable suppression with the mancozeb-based fungicides Dithane DF, Manzate Pro-Stick, and Penncozeb. These products are applied at a rate of 0.5 lb/100 gallons of finished spray solution (or 1 level teaspoon per gallon) once plants have reached the size of a dime. Use 3-5 gallons of the fungicide solution per 1000 square feet, applied as a fine spray (to ensure good coverage) on younger plants; and increase spray volume to 6-12 gallons on older plants. Begin applications before symptoms develop, or immediately after the first symptoms are observed at the latest, and continue on a 5-7 day schedule until plants are ready to go to the field. Target Spot As with damping-off, sanitation and good growing practices are the best defense against target spot. Because nitrogen deficiency can increase the susceptibility of tobacco seedlings to the target spot pathogen, maintain nitrogen within the recommended range of 75-125 ppm. This practice wont eliminate the risk to target spot but it will reduce the likelihood of a severe outbreak. Mancozeb fungicides, as described for dampingoff, should be applied when conditions favor disease. These products work reasonably well when used in conjunction with sound management practices. A better option for target spot in the float bed is Quadris fungicide, which received a Special Local Need, or 24 (c) label for control of target spot in float beds through December 31, 2018. Under the provisions of this label, growers will be able to make ONE application of Quadris at a rate of 6 fl oz/A, which is the equivalent of 0.14 fl oz (4 cc, or roughly 1 tsp) of product per thousand square feet of float bed (roughly 400 trays) applied in a recommended volume of 5 gallons. This should be adequate to get good leaf coverage and rundown of fungicide solution onto stems. For best control of disease, we recommend making the Quadris application before symptoms are seen (or when they first appear at the very latest) and at a time when the plants would be the most susceptible to target spot. To get ahead of

the disease, a good strategy would be to apply Quadris after the 1st or 2nd clipping. After making the Quadris treatment, producers should switch back to mancozeb until plants are set in the field. It is also important to note that the float-bed application counts towards the seasonal limit for Quadris in the field. Following the manufacturers use guidelines for Quadris is critical to stay in compliance with the label, and to minimize the risk of the target spot pathogen developing resistance to this important fungicide.

Figure 2. Damping-off, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, on tobacco seedlings.

Figure 3. Leaf yellowing and necrosis associated with damping-off on tobacco transplants.

the pathogen. Never use pond or surface water to fill float beds, since water from these sources is likely contaminated with Pythium and other plant pathogens such as Phytophthora or Fusarium. Make sure that shoes and tools are cleaned before bringing them into a transplant facility, and be careful to not introduce field soil into float bays. Pythium is a plant pathogen common to most (if not all) Kentucky soils and even small amounts of dirt that make their way into float water can lead to serious outbreaks of disease.
Figure 4. Target spot on tobacco transplants. Lesions have the characteristic zonate (concentric rings) pattern of growth on affected leaves.

Pythium Root Rot in the Float System By Kenny Seebold, Extension Plant Pathologist Pythium root rot (PRR) is the most important disease of tobacco seedlings grown in float beds. Plants can be affected by PRR from the moment that seed germinate until seedlings are set in the field; however, the disease is found most commonly after the middle of April in most years. This is generally when water temperatures in float beds begin to climb above 70 F, favoring rapid development of the species of Pythium that cause PRR in float systems. Pythium root rot has been found early in the production cycle, though, when temperatures have been above-normal in March. If left unmanaged, PRR can cause a significant loss of useable transplants. When seedlings with PRR are transplanted, they are more likely to damp-off than healthy plants and are more susceptible to diseases like Fusarium wilt and black shank. Fortunately, this disease can be managed effectively with good growing practices and fungicides. Prevention is the most effective management step for PRR, and sound sanitation is the key preventive practice that should be employed for this disease. When seeding, use new trays or those that have been disinfested with a 10% bleach solution to reduce the potential of introduction of

Preventive use of Terramaster 4EC is an effective management practice for PRR. For prevention of disease, apply 1 fl oz of product per 100 gallons of float water beginning 2-3 weeks after seeding, or when roots first enter the water. Additional treatments can be made at 2-3 week intervals. Do not exceed 3.8 fl oz per 100 gallons of water per crop of seedlings, and do not apply Terramaster later than 5 days before transplanting. Make sure that the product is mixed thoroughly in float bays to minimize the risk of plant injury. Rescue applications of Terramaster (1.4 fl oz/100 gallons of float water) in systems with active PRR will halt further development of disease and symptomatic seedlings will likely recover. However, the higher rates of Terramaster used in rescue treatments increase the risk of plant injury. Recuperating plants may still harbor Pythium and increase their susceptibility to black shank and Fusarium wilt. For these reasons, preventive use of Terramaster is recommended over curative applications of the product. Before using Terramaster, or any pesticide, refer to the label for specific instructions and safety information. Detailed information on this fungicide can be found in the product label, or refer to ID-160 (2013-13 Kentucky-Tennessee Tobacco Production Guide) or PPFS-AG-T-8 (2013 Fungicide Guide for Burley and Dark Tobacco). Please note that Terramaster is the only product labeled for controlling Pythium root rot on tobacco seedlings grown in float beds. Other products, such as Banrot or Ridomil Gold SL, are not approved for this use. Symptom recognition also plays an important role in managing PRR with fungicides. Rescue treatments with Terramaster will be most effective if treatments are made as soon as symptoms

appear than when a significant level of disease is present. The first symptoms of the disease that most producers notice are yellowing and stunting of transplants in well-defined areas of a float bay. Damping-off, or seedling death, can occur in severe cases. During the outbreak, seedlings wilt and root systems decay to some degree and this will be evident even before wilting and yellow is seen on the plants themselves. Roots and sometimes lower stems of plants affected by Pythium root rot take on a darkened, necrotic, sometimes slimy appearance. Infected roots will eventually slough off and some re-growth may be observed; however, new tissue will show symptoms of PRR within 7-10 days of its emergence. Consult Pythium Root Rot in Tobacco Float Systems (University of Kentucky fact sheet PPFS-AG-T-01) for additional information on diagnosing and managing PRR. This publication is available at www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/ext_fil es/PPFShtml/ppfsagt1.pdf.

Figure 7. Pythium root rot will progress from water roots to plug roots if not managed, resulting in extensive decay and eventual stunting or death of plants.

FRUIT CROPS Perennial Canker of Peach By Nicole Ward, Extension Plant Pathologist Perennial canker of peach is a fungal infection of fruiting twigs, scaffold limbs, or trunks (Figs 8 & 9). The disease may also be referred to as Cytospora canker, Leucostoma canker, perennial canker, valsa canker, or peach canker. A common symptom is oozing gum from canker sites, so symptoms may also be referred to as gummosis (Fig 8).

Figure 5. Stunting, yellowing, and damping-off associated with Pythium root rot in tobacco float beds.

The causal fungi, Leucostoma spp., are weak pathogens that infect stressed or wounded plants. Infections cause cankers, or stem lesions, that enlarge every year, creating annual rings or targetlike growths. These cankers expand until limbs become girdled and die. Cankers often ooze gummy sap (gummosis) that eventually hardens (Fig 9). Gummosis can also be caused by other plant injuries such as bacterial infection (bacterial canker of peach), boring or sucking insects, and mechanical damage. It is important to properly diagnose the cause of gummosis before considering management options.

Figure 6. Decay (necrosis) of water roots is a typical symptom of Pythium root rot on tobacco seedlings, and can be seen often before plants begin to wilt or turn yellow.

The fungi that cause peach canker produce spores during spring. Fungal spores ooze from cankers during cool rainy weather. Consequently, disease is often more severe during rainy years. Prevention of peach canker begins with vigorous plants and proper orchard sanitation. Retain plant vigor. Maintain soil moisture, fertilize according to soil tests, and mulch properly. Avoid plant wounds such as mower damage, sunscald, winter injury, and insect injury. Make clean, sharp pruning cuts that heal quickly. Avoid jagged cuts. Prune peach trees during late winter, preferably during late-February or March. Prune during dry weather only. Fungal spores spread during wet conditions. Maintain a clean orchard by pruning dead and damaged wood. Remove cuttings from the orchard; bury, burn, or move them at least 100 yards from peach plantings. Some peach cultivars are less susceptible to peach canker than others. Use resistant or tolerant trees when possible.

(Rovral), and thiophanate-methyl (Topsin M) may be applied after pruning (delayed dormant phase), after petal fall, and after shuck split to prevent new infections. Sanitation and increased plant vigor are the primary disease management options for peach canker. Growers should be aware of potential risks for infection and prevent disease outbreaks by following the guidelines above. Once trees become infected, the pathogen can spread through orchards in just a few years. Fungicides do not cure peach canker, and cultural practices are the primary means for disease management.

Figure 8. Perennial canker of peach limb, advanced symptoms with oozing sap. (Photo Penn State)

If peach canker becomes a problem in the orchard, a strict sanitation should be implemented. There are no fungicide treatments available for management of peach canker. Remove diseased twigs and limbs, making clean cuts at least 6 inches below cankers. Remove diseased cuttings from the orchard. Infected trunks may require surgery. Using a knife or chisel, remove bark at least one inch around each disease lesion. There is no need to cut into hardwood. Do not paint affected area with wound dressing, paint, or oil. Prune during dry weather, only. Disinfest pruners and tools between cuts using a commercial sanitizer, 10% bleach, or 10% Lysol concentrated disinfectant. Apply fungicides to open pruning wounds as a preventative. Captan, iprodione

Figure 9. Infection of peach twigs, early symptoms. (Photo West Virginia University)

Spotted Wing Drosophila Management in KY

By Ric Bessin and Patty Lucas Spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) was detected in two locations and confirmed by the USDA APHIS this past fall. This puts Kentucky on the long list of states where this insect has become a very serious invasive pest. SWD was first identified in California in 2008 and has since spread to many states on the west and east coasts and central states where it is a pest of small fruit crops and other soft skinned fruits. Ive gleaned the information in this article from a number of extension resources around the country in order to provide our best management recommendations for 2013. While SWD was found in apple cider vinegar traps that were put out in Daviess and Warren Counties, a commercial grower in Larue County also reported having maggots in raspberries that were frozen this past summer for use in processing. It is very possible and likely that this insect is also in other counties in Kentucky: at this point we dont know. We will be conducting a survey in strategic locations throughout the state and have received support from the Kentucky Horticulture Society for this effort. SWD attacks a number of different fruiting crops and weeds, notably raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries. In 2010 it caused over $300 million in losses to west coast strawberries alone. What makes this fruit fly a problem is the ovipositor (egg layer) which is pointed and can penetrate into otherwise undamaged fruit. Fruit become vulnerable during the ripening process as they begin to soften and turn color. So management and the possible need for insecticide sprays occur just before and during harvest.

An apple cider-baited trap is used to monitor for this insect in commercial plantings. If no SWD are found then sprays targeting SWD during the harvest period are not recommended. If SWD is detected then weekly insecticide sprays during this period will help to reduce losses. The trap is made of a one-quart deli container with a half cup of apple cider vinegar. Sixteen inch holes are punched below the rim to allow the SWD to enter and traps are checked weekly, and vinegar is changed weekly. The trap is reported to work more effectively when placed in a dense part of the plants with shade. This trap will capture a large number of fly species and several unimportant fruit fly species. It is critical to identify the collected specimens carefully with a powerful hand lens or dissecting microscope. The male SWD are recognized by the single black spot on each wing and the two dark combs on the front legs. The females are recognized by their ovipositor which is hardened and pointed. To sample fruit for SWD larvae a simple floatation method can be used. Place a small number of ripe, apparently undamaged fruit into a gallon bag. Add sugar syrup (mixture of cup sugar mixed into 1 quart of water) to the bag and seal the bag. Mash the berries, then let the berries settle to the bottom of the bag, any small, white larvae present should float to the top. SWD Management for Commercial Plantings Monitoring plantings with apple cider vinegar traps in the three weeks leading up to harvest. Reduce alternate host plants (wild brambles, poke, nightshade, wild mulberry) in surrounding habitat if practical If spotted wing drosophila is NOT found, DO NOT use SWD insecticides before or during harvest If SWD IS found, treat crop on 5 to 7 day intervals as fruit begin to color and soften through the end of harvest with a recommended insecticide Know and obey pre harvest intervals (PHI) for each insecticide you use very carefully. Small fruit crops are not

Figure 10. A SWD male with the characteristic wing spots.

normally treated with insecticides during the harvest period Rotate among insecticide chemistries for resistance management When on a spray program for SWD, continue to monitor with traps and fruit sampling to determine effectiveness Use clean harvest to collect and remove spoiled, damaged, and fallen fruit from the planting on a regular basis. Bag or bury unwanted fruit to reduce SWD fly populations. Consider a postharvest clean-up spray to reduce the SWD population

These tiny mites (~0.01 inches) are a particularly persistent problem, because they can remain dormant in cracks and crevices in your greenhouse over the winter. If you had issues with spider mites last season, theres a very good chance theyll be back as soon as you warm your greenhouse up. What you can do, after giving your greenhouse as good a scrubbing as you can, is to strategically place some bush beans in your greenhouse. Put the beans out before your crop, in areas where you previously had spider mite infections, near walls, and near the legs of the benches. Leave the beans in place throughout the season. Spider mites love bush beans, and will be attracted to the beans. You can use the beans as monitoring plants, and concentrate your scouting efforts on these plants. Check them regularly for the presence of spider mites using a hand lens. Once you find spider mites, your next step depends on your preferred control methods.

Insecticides available for SWD in commercial small fruit (insecticides must be used to prevent infestations with SWD) plantings are listed in ID94. Some insecticides used during the harvest period may result in noticeable residues or odors on harvested fruit.

GREENHOUSE One Weird Trick for Spider Mite Control in the Greenhouse By Jen White, Extension Entomologist for greenhouse pest control, University of Kentucky I dont know about all of you, but Im heartily tired of seeing flashing ads on every webpage, promoting One weird trick or One strange tip to prevent aging, to lose weight, etc. However I actually have a trick that Ive heard about for biological control of spider mites in the greenhouse that Id like to pass along.

Figure 12

Figure 11

For biological control, purchase some predatory (good guy) mites, such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, from a biological control supplier (http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/e f125.asp). Distribute the predatory mites on the bush beans. The beans will now act as insectary plants for the predatory mites, providing a population of spider mites for the predators to eat, and a home base from which the predators can rove out into your crop to destroy spider mites before they reach damaging numbers. As long as youve got a good population of predators on the beans, you can move the bean plants (or infested leaves from the plants) around the greenhouse to

any spider mite hotspots that you might find over the course of the season. If biological control is not your style, you can still use the bean plants to concentrate the spider mite populations away from your crop as a trap plant. Once the spider mite population starts getting high on the beans, you need to discard the bean plants (FAR away from your greenhouse!) so that the beans dont become a source of spider mite infestation for your crop. You can keep replacing fresh bean plants throughout the season, and may be able to avoid costly chemical treatment. Keep an eye on crop plants near the beans, and if they start building up spider mite populations, then you may need to treat. A few important points to keep in mind: 1) If you try the predatory mites, monitor the beans with a hand lens to make sure they have BOTH spider mites and the predatory mites on them. If you just see spider mites without predators, you might need to get more predators, or try an alternative control tactic. 2) In general, predators are more susceptible to chemicals than pests. If you need to apply an insecticide or miticide (even for a different pest), you might lose your predatory mites as well. Consider moving the bean plants out of the greenhouse for the duration of the treatment, then bring the beans back in if theyve got good predator populations. 3) The bush bean trick has primarily been developed for tomato crops (http://www.appliedbio-

DIAGNOSTIC LAB HIGHLIGHTS

By Julie Beale and Brenda Kennedy


Late winter agronomic samples seen in the PDDL have included Sclerotinia crown rot on alfalfa and cold injury on wheat. On fruits and vegetables, we have diagnosed several samples of Phytophthora root rot on blueberry; Phytophthora collar rot on apple; perennial canker (Leucostoma) on peach; chilling injury with secondary rots on stored sweetpotato. We have seen quite a few samples of high tunnel and greenhouse tomatoes with diagnoses ranging from high soluble salts, injury from both high and low temperature extremes, russet mite infestation, root knot nematode and tomato spotted wilt virus. On ornamentals and turf, we have seen greenhouse samples of gerbera with high soluble salts; geranium with cold injury; and ranunculus with black root rot. Landscape samples have included white pine root decline (Verticicladiella); winter drying injury on boxwood, holly and cherrylaurel; and pink snow mold on perennial ryegrass (sports turf).

nomics.com/croprecommendations/tomato), but should


work for any crop that spider mites like less than they like bush beans. If they like your crop better than bush beans, then the beans wont be particularly helpful as either monitoring, insectary plant or trap plants, although it wont hurt anything to have them there. So, for the price of a few beans, its worth a try!
Note: Trade names are used to simplify the information presented in this newsletter. No endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products that are not named.

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