Applications of Mixtures of Copper Fungicides and Chlorothalonil for Management of Peanut Leaf Spot Diseases

Abstract

Management of early leaf spot (Cercospora arachidicola) and late leaf spot (Cercosporidium personatum) of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in the southeastern U.S. is dependent upon multiple applications of foliar fungicides. Field experiments were conducted from 1997 to 2000 to compare the efficacy of mixtures of copper hydroxide or copper oxychloride and reduced rates of chlorothalonil with that of full rates of chlorothalonil alone or chlorothalonil + propiconazole. In all tests, rates per ha of 0.70 kg of chlorothalonil + 0.70 kg of copper oxychloride or higher provided leaf spot control that was similar (P > 0.05) to that achieved with standard rates of chlorothalonil (0.84 kg/ha) + propiconazole (0.063 kg/ha). Application of chlorothalonil at 0.56 kg/ha + copper oxychloride at 0.56 kg/ha controlled leaf spot as well as (P > 0.05) chlorothalonil alone at 1.26 kg/ha in five of six tests in which that treatment was evaluated. In three of four tests in 1998 and 1999, application of chlorothalonil at 0.63 kg/ha + copper hydroxide at 0.63 kg/ha controlled leaf spot as well as chlorothalonil alone at 1.26 kg/ha. In both tests in 2000, application of chlorothalonil at 0.84 kg/ha + copper hydroxide at 0.63 kg/ha controlled leaf spot as well as chlorothalonil alone at 1.26 kg/ha. There were no consistent yield differences among the chlorothalonil, chlorothalonil + propiconazole, or chlorothalonil + copper treatments. Accepted for publication 8 November 2001. Published 16 November 2001.