Use of a Canopy Opener in Fungicide Applications to Improve Asian Soybean Rust Control

Abstract

Abstract. In soybeans, the leaves of the upper canopy often act as a shield against fungicide penetration, preventing pesticide deposition on target. Fungicide applications to control Asian soybean rust (ASR) are especially difficult because the infection usually starts on the lower canopy. In this study, soybean plants of an early indeterminate cultivar and a determinate cultivar were sprayed with the fungicide azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr at six different times of the day with or without the addition of a curtain of chains on the spray boom, which acted as a canopy opener. The number of uredia of cm-2 and grain yield were measured to evaluate application efficacy. We found that the use of the curtain of chains reduced ASR control on the upper canopy for the indeterminate cultivar; however, less of a negative effect was observed for the determinate cultivar. The curtain of chains improved ASR control on the lower and middle canopies at more hours of the day for the determinate cultivar. For both cultivars, the curtain of chains increased ASR control at 6:00, 9:00, and 18:00 h on the lower canopy. Grain yield was also higher with the curtain of chains at 6:00 and 9:00 h for the determinate cultivar. Our results showed that using the curtain of chains could improve fungicide droplet deposition on the lower canopy, leading to greater ASR control and possibly increasing yield. However, it is important to consider the plant architecture and hour of application to maximize the benefit of the curtain of chains. Keywords: Canopy opener, Fungicide penetration, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Plant architecture, Spray deposition.