Fungicide Research

Rust on Gunner Wheat

Kent McKay

Fusarium Head Blight

Currently, research and efficacy studies are being conducted with seed treatments and foliar fungicides in the management and control of diseases of field crops grown in North Dakota. Primary focus has been on Fusarium head blight in wheat and barley, sclerotinia control in canola and dry bean, and ascochyta blight in chickpea and lentil. Some projects are funded by local grower groups such as the Northern Canola Growers Association and ND Dry Pea and Lentil Association or by large organizations such as the National Scab Initiative. Other projects are based on a fee testing program for the Chemical Protection Industry. The chemical protection companies initiate the trials and/or protocols and a fee is set for the work and data collected. The research data is used by the companies to support registration of an experimental fungicide or additional uses of an existing fungicide. The data generated by these funds will help provide improved control of specific diseases that have had severe economic impact in North Dakota.