Evaluation of Fungicides, Host-plant Defense Inducer, and Anti-transpirant in Management of Boxwood Blight
Boxwood, valued at over $140.9 million annually in the United States, faces a significant threat from boxwood blight disease. This study evaluated 24 treatment combinations involving three fungicides (Daconil Weatherstik, Postiva, and F6123-1), a disinfectant/fungicide (KleenGrow), a host-plant defe...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | HortTechnology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/35/1/article-p101.xml |
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| Summary: | Boxwood, valued at over $140.9 million annually in the United States, faces a significant threat from boxwood blight disease. This study evaluated 24 treatment combinations involving three fungicides (Daconil Weatherstik, Postiva, and F6123-1), a disinfectant/fungicide (KleenGrow), a host-plant defense inducer (Actigard), and an anti-transpirant (Vapor Gard) for managing boxwood blight. Preventive applications were performed 24 h before pathogen inoculation, while curative treatments were applied at 14-d intervals, starting 14 d after inoculation. The disease severity (0% to 100% plant affected), area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), plant growth, defoliation (0% to 100%), and stem water potential (MPa) were assessed. All the applications significantly reduced disease severity and AUDPC compared with the non-treated, inoculated control. Preventative applications of Actigard alternated (alt.) with Vapor Gard and Actigard alone consistently reduced the disease progression, while Actigard alt. with Vapor Gard reduced the disease severity. Curative application of the low rate of Postiva exhibited the highest disease suppression, comparable to applications of F6123-1 alt. with Vapor Gard and the high rate of Postiva alt. with Vapor Gard. The preventative and curative application of the high rate of Postiva alt. with Vapor Gard was the most effective in reducing disease severity and slowing disease progression. Preventive and curative application of Daconil Weatherstik, KleenGrow, and Daconil Weatherstik alt. with KleenGrow were also effective. None of the preventive treatments significantly reduced defoliation. However, curative applications of F6123-1 alt. with Vapor Gard and preventive and curative treatments of the high rate of Postiva alt. with Vapor Gard consistently reduced the defoliation. Preventive application of Actigard alt. with Vapor Gard, curative application of the low rate of Postiva alt. Vapor Gard, and preventive and curative treatments of the high rate of Postiva alt. Vapor Gard, as well as Vapor Gard alone, resulted in the highest stem water potential among treated plants. A weak positive correlation was observed between stem water potential and disease development. The identified combinations and application strategies provide options for effective boxwood blight management when combined with other management strategies. |
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| ISSN: | 1943-7714 |