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

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

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

Soybean disease management (1998)

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

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.

Soybean rust

"Asian soybean rust is a serious foliage disease that has the potential to cause significant soybean yield losses. Although Asian soybean rust was identified on soybean plants in Hawaii in 1994, the disease was not reported in the continental United States until the fall of 2004. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an official notice of the confirmation of soybean rust on soybean leaf samples collected in Louisiana on November 10, 2004. Over the next few weeks the fungus was detected on plants from a number of additional states, including Missouri. Now that Asian soybean rust has been found in the continental United States, it is critical that anyone involved in soybean production be familiar with the disease and its identification and management."--Page 1.Laura E. Sweets (Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology and Commercial Agriculture Program), J. Allen Wrather (Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology, Delta Research Center), Simeon Wright (Plant Diagnostic Clinic)New 12/04/15MIncludes bibliographical reference

Pest management guide : corn, cotton, grain sorghum, rice, soybean, winter wheat

"2015 Missouri."includes statistics"This guide is intended to provide current recommendations for control of the most problematic weeds, insects and diseases encountered in Missouri corn, soybean and winter wheat cropping systems."--Page 2.Kevin W. Bradley (Extension Weed Scientist, Department of Agronomy), Laura E. Sweets, (Extension Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology, Commercial Agricultural Program), Wayne C. Bailey (Extension Entomologist, Department of Entomology), Moneen M. Jones (Assistant Research Professor, Fisher Delta Research Center), James W. Heiser (Research Associate - Weed Science, Fisher Delta Research Center)New 1/05, Revised 12/14/3C