Efficacy of different fungicide spray schedules for control of potato late blight in Southwestern Uganda

Abstract

Potato cultivars grown in Uganda have low levels of general resistance to late blight. As such, most commercial potato farmers rely on fungicide applications for control of Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight. This study investigated the comparative advantages of using different frequencies of application of Ridomil (MZ 58), Ridomil once and Dithane M-45 (Mancozeb, 80% WP) subsequently, and Dithane M-45 for management of potato late blight. The highest marginal benefit was achieved by applying Ridomil once and Dithane M-45 subsequently at intervals of 14 and 21 days. The lowest marginal benefit was with sole Ridomil application at 21 day spray interval. With weekly sprays it was more economical to apply Dithane M-45 than Ridomil first followed by Dithane M-45 subsequently.