Systemic fungicides in strawberry: field control of fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea pers.) and residue study

Abstract

In a detailed study of the effect of weekly sprays with benzimidazole-derivative fungicides on strawberry plants, cv. Tioga, higher yields were recorded, as well as reduced fruit rot caused by the fungusBotrytis cinerea Pers. The two fungicides tested, benomyl and flowable and soluble formulations of TBZ, gave similar control of fruit rot. The residue level found in leaves and fruits was about the same throughout the yielding season. Residue levels of 300-433 ppm TBZ (flowable form) and 94-110 ppm benomyl were detected in the leaves, whereas the levels in the fruit were 6.4-8.2 ppm and 1.5-3.8 ppm for the two compounds, respectively. Two weeks after the last spray application, the residue level of TBZ in teaves was reduced by 50%, and of benomyl by only 20%.