The focus of this project is to fine tune the application of fungicides to increase their effectiveness at reducing disease.

The objectives of this project are to determine the impact of split timings of application and different rates of fungicides on control of FHB and DON in barley. It is likely that the reduced control with fungicides is due to the long period during which the plant is susceptible to infection and the relatively short period of effectiveness of the fungicides used for control. With many diseases that have high disease pressure and multiple infections over time more than one fungicidal spray is used. In high value crops this is economic. We propose that multiple applications be made of the best available fungicidal treatment to determine if this will reduce FHB and DON to acceptable levels. Multiple rates of fungicide will be used to find a rate that is both effective and economic.

The outcome of this work is expected to be a series of crop management recommendations relating to fungicide timing and rates.

Collaborating Researchers: Kent McKay, North Central Research Extension Centre