View Poster Application

EFFICACY OF PIC-CLOR 60 AND ABOVE-GROUND FUNGICIDES FOR FUSARIUM WILT MANAGEMENT IN WATERMELON

Applied Research

Joshua Grant
County Extension Agent
University of Georgia
Cordele

Abstract

Fusarium wilt is the most economically important disease of watermelons (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) globally and causes yield losses up to 80% in many southeastern United States fields. With the loss of methyl bromide and minimal options available as labeled above-ground fungicides, it is critical to explore potential integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for the control of Fusarium wilt. To assess the efficacy of Pic-clor 60 at different rates, three post-plant soil-applied fungicides, and to investigate their interaction we conducted field experiments at a research park with known history of high Fusarium wilt incidence in Cordele, GA. Fumigation occurred at time of bed formation and gassed-off for 22 days before watermelons were transplanted. Prothioconazole (Proline), pydiflumetofen (Miravis), and a biocontrol agent were applied three times starting at-plant and continued at two-week intervals via either drench or CO2 injection through the dripline. Results in 2019 indicate that on average, fumigated treatments numerically reduced disease incidence when compared to nonfumigated and nontreated check plots. Also, in 2020 plots treated with 300 lbs/A of Pic-clor 60 in tandem with a fungicide statistically lowered Fusarium incidence based on field symptoms and vascular discoloration when compared to every other treatment, including nontreated check, except Miravis and Proline alone. Overall, Pic-clor 60 at rates at least 250 lb/A and used in conjunction with Proline or Miravis show significant promise as an IPM strategy in the management of Fusarium wilt in watermelon. 

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted only for display at AM/PIC. Poster is not to be judged, but the abstract will be published in the proceedings.

Click to view Poster

Authors: J. Grant, K. Karki, R. Barentine, A.L.B.R. da Silva, J. Freeman, J. Gibson, G. Hancock, S. McAllister, M. Murdoch, J. Register, A. Sawyer, B. Stackhouse, B. Starr, B. Sutherland, R. West, B. Dutta
  1. Grant, J. County Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31015
  2. Karki, K. Graduate Assistant, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31794
  3. Barentine, R. Extension Agent, District Program Coordinator, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31794
  4. da Silva, A. Extension Specialist, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31794
  5. Freeman, J. Associate Professor, University of Florida, Florida, 32351
  6. Gibson, J. Summer Intern, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31015
  7. Hancock, G. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31714
  8. McAllister, S. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 39842
  9. Murdoch, M. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31803
  10. Register, J. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31092
  11. Sawyer, A. Area Pecan Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 30460
  12. Stackhouse, B. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31015
  13. Starr, B. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31719
  14. Sutherland, B. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31791
  15. West, R. Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31015
  16. Dutta, B. 5Extension Specialist, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31794