Renewed Interest in Foliar Fungicide Use on Field Crops

Although the use of chemicals or fungicides to control plant diseases can be traced back as far as 1000 B.C., it was not until the 1930\u27s- 1960\u27s that substantial efforts were devoted to the development of non-corrosive and non-phytotoxic fungicides. Among the first of the modern fungicides were the dithiocarbamate fungicides such as thiram, maneb, and zineb. These materials have broad-spectrum activity but are contact, protectant fungicides. Dithiocarbamate fungicides were used for control of field crop diseases and there still are several formulations labeled for use on field crops. Their use has declined because they are protectants that need to be apply prior to disease development or at the first sign of disease development and because as contact materials they are subject to weathering and may need to be reapplied if weather conditions remain favorable for disease development

The Identification and Management of Sweet Corn Diseases

Diseases can and do cause losses in sweet corn production. Various sweet corn diseases may result in germination and stand establishment problems, losses in yield and reduction in quality. Because of the extreme importance of quality in sweet corn production for either fresh market or processing along with the higher value of sweet corn, disease management in sweet corn production is an excellent opportunity to employ integrated pest management tactics. Sweet corn fields should be scouted on a regular basis to identify diseases present and to assess the severity of these diseases. Emphasis is certainly placed on preventing sweet corn disease problems through the use of resistant hybrids, proper crop rotation, residue management, etc. When scouting indicates disease problems during the season, decisions can be made on additional control measures such as pesticide applications. In general, the most common disease problems on sweet corn might be divided into the early season seed decay and seedling blight problems, foliage diseases, maize dwarf mosaic virus, Stewart\u27s wilt and common smut. Brief summaries of the symptoms caused by these diseases, the conditions favoring each and management strategies currently available for each are given below

Rapid Diagnostic Kits for Plant Diseases

The accurate diagnosis of a plant disease is the most important step in developing an effective management strategy for that disease. Yet diagnosing plant diseases is often difficult and frustrating. Distinctive symptoms may not develop until late in the disease cycle. Many plant diseases fail to produce obvious symptoms or produce general, nondescriptive symptoms, such as yellowing, stunting or wilting, that could be produced by a number of biotic or abiotic factors. Recent advances in molecular biology and biotechnology are being used to develop rapid, sensitive diagnostic kits for detection of plant diseases

Fungicide Seed Treatments

Seed treatment, as defined by the Federal Seed Act, means ...seed given an application of a substance or subjected to a process designed to reduce or control, repel disease organisms, insects, or other pests which attack seeds or seedlings growing therefrom. A fungicide seed treatment is the application of a fungicide to the seed to protect it from rot or decay caused by disease-causing microorganisms 1n the soil, on the seed, or in the seed

Management of grain sorghum diseases in Missouri

"Grain sorghum is the sixth most valuable field crop grown in Missouri. Unfortunately, diseases damage this crop, causing lower yields and reduced grower profits. Fortunately, most diseases of grain sorghum can be managed by planting resistant varieties and adopting certain cultural practices. This publication will help you identify diseases in your grain sorghum crop and select the best disease management tactics."--Page 1.Allen Wrather (Professor of Plant Pathology, Division of Plant Sciences, Delta Center, Portageville), Laura Sweets (Extension Associate Professor, Plant Pathology, Division of Plant Sciences).Revised 9/09/2

Rice sheath blight control (2009)

Sheath blight is the most destructive disease Missouri rice growers face. Crop losses may range from slight to heavy each year, depending on weather, the plant growth stage when infection occurs, the extent of infection and the rice varieties grown. The severity of sheath blight in Missouri has increased in recent years due to increased use of highly susceptible varieties, a lack of crop rotation, thicker stands and use of higher nitrogen (N) rates, and earlier planting dates.Authors: Allen Wrather (Professor of Plant Pathology, Division of Plant Sciences, Delta Center, Portageville), Laura Sweets (Extension Associate Professor, Plant Pathology, Division of Plant Sciences)Blight symptoms -- Cause of sheath blight -- Control -- Fungicide use -- Scouting for sheath blight.Revised 9/200

Soybean disease management (1998)

New 12/92, Revised 7/98/7M

The Use of Personal Response Transmitters in Extension Settings

Personal response transmitters (PRTs) facilitate effective education by encouraging audience participation and providing the educator with immediate indication of audience comprehension. Their use in an IPM training session in Missouri provided measures of teaching impact, audience knowledge base, and direction for discussion activities. Lessons learned from initial activities taught that things such as room setup, random distribution of the PRTs, question formation, technical assistance, and familiarity with possible responses were critical to their successful use

Soybean diseases (2008)

"New 9/00; Revised 6/08/6M.""This publication is part of a series of IPM Manuals prepared by the Plant Protection Programs of the University of Missouri. Topics covered in the series include an introduction to scouting, weed identification and management, plant diseases, and insects of field and horticultural crops.""Plant protection programs : College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.""Integrated pest management.