Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine if field irrigation practices affect the development and suppression of three diseases, alternaria blight (Alternaria zinniae), powdery mildew (Erisyphe cichoracearum) and bacterial leaf and flower spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. zinniae), on Zinnia elegans. Many commercial growers will no longer produce this popular bedding plant and cut flower crop due to high incidence of these three diseases. Plants of 17 different varieties of Z. elegans were started from seed and transplanted into cell-packs to be grown on as bedding plants. They were later transplanted into the field and subjected to one of three watering regimes: natural rainfall plus overhead irrigation, natural rainfall plus sub-irrigation, and natural rainfall only. Weekly evaluations were performed to rate each variety on its susceptibility to disease based upon severity of infection as well as portion of plant affected. Results will be presented on irrigation method and its influence on disease susceptibility and resistance on the 17 varieties evaluated.
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