Improved Fungicide Efficacy on Canola through Application Technology

Scott Halley and John Lukach

Langdon Research Extension Center-North Dakota State University, Box 310 Hwy 5 E Langdon, North Dakota 58249

*Corresponding author PH: (701) 256-2582, E-mail: shalley@ndsuext.nodak.edu

A research trial was conducted in 2002 to evaluate application technology with fungicide (Ronilan) for control of white mold in canola. A split plot arrangement (early and late planting date) in a randomized complete block design comparing three sprayer systems (A conventional type equipped with hydraulic nozzles oriented down, a modified SprayAir� sprayer; an air-assisted spray distribution system oriented vertically down, and a SprayAir oriented forward and backward angled 30 degrees downward from horizontal at three gallonages (gpa), 5.2, 10.4, and 19.2. Sclerotia were hand broadcast and shallowly soil covered before planting to increase potential for Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection. An Optronics ccd digital video camera was purchased to measure coverage of the canola flowers. A software problem was detected that did not permit measurement of the spray coverage in 2002. Software patches are being developed to correct the deficiency and data will be collected in 2003. The spring plant period was wet and the earliest date the site was suitable for planting was 14 May. Late plant date was 30 May. Fungicide application was made on 2 July on early plant and 16 July on late plant. Ascospores were sprayed on early plant after 9 p.m. on 1 July and after fungicide application on 16 July on late plant. June average temperature was 2 �F above normal with precipitation at 6.37 inches, 3.2 inches above normal. Mean July temperature was over two �F above normal and precipitation nearly two inches below 30 year normal of 2.9 inches. Greatest rainfall event of the month was 0.36 inches on 5 July. July weather was not conducive to the development of disease and only trace levels were detected.

Planting date affected yield, thousand seed weight, and oil content. Neither spray system nor gpa affected yield, thousand seed weight, oil content, or test weight.

2003

A computer dedicated to the camera is being added to the system and patches to the software package will repair deficiencies.  A site more accessible under wet field conditions to accommodate earlier planting has been selected for next year. Sclerotia has been spread and incorporated last fall for natural conditioning.

¹Gallonage

²Thousand seed weight

³NS=not significant, *, ** Significant at 0.05, 0.01 probability level for mean comparisons.

Back to 2002 Pathology (http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/langdon/02data/pathology.htm)