Fungicide Formulations Research Articles

The role of storage on Mancozeb fungicide formulations and their antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporium and Rhizoctonia solani

The stability of fungicides Dicozeb 80% WP (Mancozeb), Sand flower 72% WP (Cymoxail + Mancozeb) and Triomax 66% WP (Cymoxail + Mancozeb + Copper oxychloride) were tested before and after storage at 54 ± 2 °C for 14 days and investigated their activity on radial growth of F. oxysporum and R. solani in vitro by Poisoned Food Technique. The results indicated that slightly increased of degradation rate of the active ingredient of Triomax followed by Sand flower and Dicozeb. The fungicidal activity of Mancozeb increased when mixed with Cymoxanil and Copper oxychloride by 97.4 and 73.4 times against F. oxysporum and R. solani, respectively. While Cymoxanil increased the activity of Mancozeb by 39.5 and 45.9 times against tested fungi F. oxysporum and R. solani, respectively. In addition, degradation of tested fungicides caused increase the mean activity of polyphenol oxidase enzyme and mean proline amino acid in mycelium of tested fungi. With another point of view, the present of Cymoxanil + Copper oxychloride in mixture of Triomax caused decrease in degradation of fungicidal activity of Mancozeb up on other tested fungicides.

Enhanced Fungicidal Efficacy by Co-Delivery of Azoxystrobin and Diniconazole with Cauliflower-Like Metal-Organic Frameworks NH2-Al-MIL-101.

Long-term use of a single fungicide increases the resistance risk and causes adverse effects on natural ecosystems. Controlled release formulations of dual fungicides with different modes of action can afford a new dimension for addressing the current issues. Based on adjustable aperture and superhigh surface area, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are ideal candidates as pesticide release carriers. This study used Al3+ as the metal node and 2-aminoterephthalic acid as the organic chain to prepare aluminum-based metal–organic framework material (NH2-Al-MIL-101) with “cauliflower-like” structure and high surface area of 2359.0 m2/g. Fungicides of azoxystrobin (AZOX) and diniconazole (Dini) were simultaneously encapsulated into NH2-Al-MIL-101 with the loading content of 6.71% and 29.72%, respectively. Dual fungicide delivery system of AZOX@Dini@NH2-Al-MIL-101 demonstrated sustained and pH responsive release profiles. When the maximum cumulative release rate of AZOX and Dini both reached about 90%, the release time was 46 and 136 h, respectively. Furthermore, EC50 values as well as the percentage of inhibition revealed that AZOX@Dini@NH2-Al-MIL-101 had enhanced germicidal efficacy against rice sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani), evidenced by the synergistic ratio of 1.83. The present study demonstrates a potential application prospect in sustainable plant protection through co-delivery fungicides with MOFs as a platform.

Tetrahydrocurcumin encapsulation in cyclodextrins for water solubility improvement: Synthesis, characterization and antifungal activity as a new biofungicide

The solubility of the scarcely water-soluble molecule tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), a promising curcumin derivative to be used as biopesticide, was enhanced through the formation of inclusion complexes with different cyclodextrins (CDs). Randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (MeβCD) gave the best results among the different CDs whose size, substituent or structure was changing. Differential scanning calorimetry as well as 1H- and 2D-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) proved the inclusion of THC in MeβCD. Rotating-frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy NMR especially illustrated specific interactions of aromatic protons of THC and protons located inside the CD cavity. The complex formation between THC and MeβCD was studied using the Higuchi and Connor method, giving an association constant of 591 M−1. THC-loaded MeβCD did not show any growth inhibition of the target fungus Fusarium graminearum. However, THC-loaded MeβCD polymers exhibited 25% inhibition of the fungal growth, thus making them promising material for solvent-free, aqueous and bio-based fungicide formulations.

Mixing postharvest fungicides and sanitizers results in unpredictable survival of microbes that affect cantaloupes

Postharvest treatments with sanitizers and fungicides are applied to increase the quality, safety and shelf life of fresh produce including cantaloupes (also known as rockmelons). The primary role of sanitizers during cantaloupe washing is to prevent cross contamination of potentially pathogenic bacteria in washwater. Postharvest fungicide sprays or dips are employed to inhibit spoilage-causing fungi. While assessing the compatibility of these antimicrobials based on the measurement of active ingredients levels provides some indication of antimicrobial capacity, there is limited data on whether the interaction between these chemicals in wash water modifies their overall efficacy against relevant microorganisms. The aim of this research was to determine how chlorine- and peroxyacetic acid-based sanitizers interact with commercial guazatine- and imazalil-based fungicide formulations used on cantaloupes, and whether mixing these augments or suppresses anti-microbial activity against relevant human pathogens and spoilage fungi in wash water. The results were unpredictable: while most combinations were antimicrobial, the chlorine-based sanitizer when mixed with the guazatine-based fungicide had significantly reduced efficacy against pathogenic Salmonella spp. (~2.7 log) and the fungal spoilage organisms, Trichothecium roseum and Rhizopus stolonifera. Mixing the chlorine-based sanitizer with an imazalil-based fungicide produced a range of outcomes with antagonistic, indifferent and synergistic interactions observed for the fungal species tested. The peroxyacetic acid-based sanitizer led to indifferent interactions with the guazatine-based fungicide, while antagonism and synergy were observed when mixed with the imazalil-based fungicide. This study demonstrates that mixing postharvest agrichemicals used in the cantaloupe industry may increase the risk of microbial contamination and thereby potentially compromise food safety and quality.

HPLC METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS IN PESTICIDE FORMULATION SWITCH 62,5 WG

Analytical quality control for pesticides achieved using appropriate methods is essential in providing their safe and adequate use in agriculture. This study presents a precise, fast, and a simple analytical method for determining active ingredients cyprodinil and fludioxonil in a fungicide formulation Switch 62,5 WG using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The development of the HPLC method was performed on a ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C18 (50 x 4.6 mm, 1.8 µm) analytical column using isocratic elution with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water in volume ratio 70:30, a flow rate of 1 mL/min, a constant column temperature at 25 ºC and UV detection at 220 and 270 nm. The run time of analysis under these chromatographic conditions was about 1.5 min. The method was validated by testing specificity, linearity, precision, recovery, LOD, LOQ, and accuracy according to the CIPAC (Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council) and SANCO (Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection) guidelines, and all the tested parameters were found within acceptance criteria. The values for multiple correlation coefficient (R2 ≥ 0.99), relative standard deviation (RSD < 1 %), recoveries ranged from 98.95 - 102.26 %, revealed that the developed method has a good linearity, precision and accuracy. The proposed method is suitable for routine analysis of active ingredients cyprodinil and fludioxonil in the formulation Switch 62,5 WG.

Successful utilization of waste cooking oil in Neem oil based fungicide formulation as an economic and eco-friendly green solvent for sustainable waste management

Abstract Globally, about 34.22 million liters of waste cooking oil (WCO) is produced with 2% increments per year. This increase may leads to environmental risks if disposed of untreated. Beneath this backdrop, this study was designed to develop Neem emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulation (up-to 70% Neem oil content) by utilizing WCO as solvent system. This study opens new gate way to manage the over-rising increments of WCO and give safer and green agriculture product for pest management. The goal was also to explore the economic and industrial feasibility of WCO as alternate source to persistent toxic, non-renewable petroleum solvents. So, processed (transesterified) WCO and aromatic hydrocarbon solvent (C9) based EC formulations were developed and different physico-chemical properties including physical appearance, acidity/alkalinity, flashpoint, emulsion stability, shelf–life, droplet size, interfacial tension etc were comparatively assessed as per CIPAC (Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council) protocols using Abel Flashpoint Apparatus, Particle Size Analyzer, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Spinning Drop Tensiometer (SDT). Assessment results proved that WCO based formulation is more stable with brown color, low odor, high flashpoint (282.16 K) compared to solvent (C9) based with less stable (crystallization/sedimentation), light colored, high smell, low flashpoint (268.46 K). Aqueous oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions of WCO and C9 based formulations were measured with droplet size (2.6 and 3.5 μm) and emulsion stability (79.6 and 98.8%). Interfacial tension reading (0.8 Nmm−1) in WCO based EC indicated good dispersion with no creaming or sedimentation. Furthermore, stability and compatibility study of active constituents recorded of 1.28 and 50% degradation in WCO and solvent based formulations respectively. WCO based EC inhibited 90% where as C9 based formulations reduced only 68% growth of Rhizoctonia solani. WCO based EC is also free from dermal toxicity, inhalation hazards and phyototoxicity. Finally, average cost effectiveness and economic advantages were calculated and found significantly (60.32%, 1787.5 €t−1) superior to C9 based EC. Waste cooking oil can be ecologically, economically and commercially explored as an alternate green solvent and resourceful waste management.

Claustral colony founding does not prevent sensitivity to the detrimental effects of azole fungicides on the fecundity of ants

Azole fungicides (benzimidazoles, triazoles and imidazoles) are among the most widely used agrochemicals in the world. Unfortunately, azole fungicides are increasingly recognized for playing the role of endocrine disruptors in non-target organisms. Previously, the fecundity of ants with semi-claustral colony founding was found to be severely decreased in response to field-realistic concentrations of azole fungicides. However, during claustral colony founding, the ant queens do not feed and could therefore be protected against effects of agrochemicals applied during the colony founding. In the present study, we hypothesized that claustral colony founding is associated with a lower risk of oral exposure of ant queens to azole fungicides. We exposed queens of a common farmland ant species with claustral colony founding, Lasius niger, to four azole fungicides (epoxiconazole, flusilazole, prochloraz and thiophanate-methyl) that are commonly used in foliar applications and analyzed the differences in fecundity between fungicide-treated groups and the control water-treated group. We found that oral exposure to all four tested formulations of azole fungicides decreased the fecundity of L. niger queens. The decreases in fecundity ranged from 30.5% (epoxiconazole) to 40.3% (prochloraz), although the concentrations of fungicides used were several times lower than the minimum effective concentrations used to eliminate the target fungi by foliar applications of examined fungicides on various crops. Ants with both claustral and semi-claustral colony founding are highly vulnerable to field-realistic concentrations of azole fungicides that are sprayed in foliar applications. Azole fungicides substantially decrease the fitness of ant queens and may explain part of the recently observed decreases in farmland insect abundance and diversity.

Protection of grapevine pruning wounds against Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Diplodia seriata by commercial biological and chemical methods

The grapevine trunk diseases (GTD) Botryosphaeria dieback and esca threaten the sustainability of the grapevine industry worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of various liquid (pyraclostrobin + boscalid and thiophanate methyl) and paste (paste + tebuconazole) formulation fungicide treatments as well as biological control agents (Trichoderma atroviride SC1 and T. atroviride I-1237), for their potential to prevent infection of grapevine pruning wounds by Diplodia seriata and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora in two field trials over two growing seasons. Treatments were applied to freshly pruned wounds following label dosages’ recommendations. After 24 h, wounds were artificially inoculated with 400 spores of D. seriata or 800 spores of P. chlamydospora. Isolations were made from the treated pruning wounds after 12 months to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments. Fungicide formulations were superior to Trichoderma-based treatments for the control of both pathogens during both growing seasons, with mean percent disease control of 44–95% for D. seriata and 46–67% for P. chlamydospora. Pyraclostrobin + boscalid was the most effective treatment. Trichoderma atroviride-based treatments did not reduce infection by D. seriata or P. chlamydospora compared to the untreated inoculated control in both vineyards and seasons. This study represents the first scientific comparative vineyard assessment of both commercial and biological treatments to protect pruning wounds against GTD fungi in Europe and provides growers with tangible preventative control practices to minimize yield losses due to GTD.

The effect of the pesticide delivery method on the microbial community of field soil.

The study deals with the effects of herbicides (metribuzin, tribenuron-methyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl) and fungicides (tebuconazole, epoxiconazole, azoxystrobin) applied to soil as free pesticides or as slow release formulations embedded in a biodegradable composite matrix on the structure of the soil microbial community. The matrix consisted of a natural biopolymer poly-3-hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB)] and a filler-one of the natural materials (peat, clay, and wood flour). The soil microbial community was characterized, including the major eco-trophic groups of bacteria, dominant taxa of bacteria and fungi, and primary P(3HB)-degrading microorganisms, such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Pseudarthrobacter, Streptomyces, Penicillium, and Talaromyces. The addition of free pesticides adversely affected the abundance of soil microorganisms; the decrease varied from 1.4 to 56.0 times for different types of pesticides. The slow release pesticide formulations, in contrast to the free pesticides, exerted a much weaker effect on soil microorganisms, no significant inhibition in the abundance of saprotrophic bacteria was observed, partly due to the positive effects of the composite matrix (polymer/natural material), which was a supplementary substrate for microorganisms. The slow release fungicide formulations, like the free fungicides, reduced the total abundance of fungi and inhibited the development of the phytopathogens Fusarium and Alternaria. Thus, slow release formulations of pesticides preserve the bioremediation potential of soil microorganisms, which are the main factor of removing xenobiotics from the biosphere.

Flutriafol and azoxystrobin: An efficient combination to control fungal leaf diseases in corn crops

The performance of a new formulation of fungicide, azoxystrobin and flutriafol (AZXFLT), was evaluated in the control of fungal leaf spots in corn crops in Brazil. Two experiments were realized in the 2nd harvest (late growing season) in 2015 and 2016, and one in the 1st harvest (normal growing season) in 2016/2017. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was evaluated for the following leaf diseases that occurred in each experiment: northern leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum), southern corn rust (Puccinia polysora), gray leaf spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis), maize white spot (Pantoea ananatis) and Diplodia leaf streak (Stenocarpella macrospora). The productivity and economic viability of each treatment were estimated. The experimental design was a randomized block with 4 replications. The AZXFLT formulation was evaluated at a dose of 62.5 + 62.5 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha−1 in two applications and 75 + 75 g a.i. ha−1 in one and two applications in the February 2015 and November 2016 planted experiments. In the February 2016 planted experiment, AZXFLT (75 + 75 g a.i. ha−1 in two applications) was evaluated separately and in combination with mancozeb, chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide, copper phosphite, difenoconazole and propiconazole. All fungicides reduced the AUDPC of all diseases and provided an increase in productivity, with positive financial returns when compared with treatment without fungicide. There was a greater emphasis on treatments with AZXFLT in two applications of 75 + 75 g a.i. ha−1. The addition of protective fungicides contributed to increased productivity and economic viability.

Management of Root Rot (Rhizoctonia solani) of Fenugreek through Newer Combined Formulations of Fungicides

Background: Root rot disease of fenugreek caused by Rhizoctonia solani has become a severe menace to the growers of Rajasthan as well as India. This pathogen survives in soil, causes damping off and root rot symptoms and responsible nearly for 50 per cent disease incidence and yield losses. Methods: During 2016-17 to 2017-18 cropping seasons, this study was carried out with the aim to manage the disease by means of using six fungicides including newer formulations (hexaconazole and tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin) under in vitro and field conditions. Result: The result of in vitro study with tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin was found to be most fungitoxic and inhibited mycelial growth cent per cent at 200 and 500 ppm concentrations. Seed treatment with tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin (@ 0.2%) was found highly effective in reducing disease incidence (83.12%) and in increasing seed yield (84.71%) under field conditions. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of newer combined formulation as seed treatment before sowing provide us alternative source to manage root rot disease of fenugreek.

The Efficacy of Ethaboxam as a Soybean Seed Treatment Toward Phytophthora, Phytopythium, and Pythium in Ohio.

Phytophthora, Phytopythium, and Pythium species that cause early-season seed decay and pre-emergence and post-emergence damping off of soybean are most commonly managed with seed treatments. The phenylamide fungicides metalaxyl and mefenoxam, and ethaboxam are effective toward some but not all species. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ethaboxam in fungicide mixtures and compare those with other fungicides as seed treatments to protect soybean against Pythium, Phytopythium, and Phytophthora species in both high-disease field environments and laboratory seed plate assays. The second objective was to evaluate these seed treatment mixtures on cultivars that have varying levels and combinations of resistance to these soilborne pathogens. Five of eight environments received adequate precipitation in the 14 days after planting for high levels of seedling disease development and treatment evaluations. Three environments had significantly greater stands, and three had significantly greater yield when ethaboxam was used in the seed treatment mixture compared with treatments containing metalaxyl or mefenoxam alone. Three fungicide formulations significantly reduced disease severity compared with nontreated in the seed plate assay for 17 species. However, the combination of ethaboxam plus metalaxyl in a mixture was more effective than either fungicide alone against some Pythium and Phytopythium species. Overall, our results indicate that the addition of ethaboxam to a fungicide seed treatment is effective in reducing seed rot caused by these pathogens commonly isolated from soybean in Ohio but that these effects can be masked when cultivars with resistance are planted.

Determination of toxicity of various preparative forms of pesticidal fungicides for nodule bacteria inoculants

The aim of our study was to determine the effect of fungicide formulation, brand of fungicide, its concentration in the solution, holding time and temperature regime of the solution on the number of survivors of nodule bacteria of soybean, lupine, peas and lentils in a solution. Bacterial suspensions of soybean nodule bacteria (Bradyrhizobium japonicum 634b), lupine (Bradyrhizobium lupini 367a), pea (Rhizobium leguminosarum 261b), and lentils (Rhizobium leguminosarum 712) were studied. Wetting powders Benomil (active substance benomil 500 g/kg, LLC “Soyuzagrohim”, Russia), Benorad (active substance benomil 500 g/kg, JSC “August”, Russia) and Fundazol (active substance benomil 500 g/l, LLC “Agro-Kemi”, Russia) and concentrates of suspension Maxim KS (active substance fludioxonil, 25 g/l; “Syngenta International AG”, Switzerland), Protect KS (active substance fludioxonil, 25 g/l; LLC “Agro Expert Group”, Russia), Protect Forte VSK (active substance fludioxonil, 40 g/l + flutriafol, 30 g/l; LLC “Agro Expert Group”, Russia) were studied as fungicidal disinfectants. Compatibility was determined after the preparation of tank solutions of biological products and fungicides, followed by an assessment of the percentage of surviving rhizobia depending on the brand of fungicide, its concentration (10 and 20%), the holding time of the solution (2, 4, 8 h) and the temperature regime of the solution (2-5, 16-18, 27 °C).

An energy-based model to analyze growth data of earthworms exposed to two fungicides.

The pesticide risk assessment for earthworms is currently performed using standardized tests, the model species Eisenia fetida, and the analyses of the data obtained are performed with ad hoc statistical tools. We assessed the impact of two fungicides on the entire growth pattern of the earthworm species Aporrectodea caliginosa, which is highly representative of agricultural fields. Individuals of three different ages (from hatching to 56 days old) were exposed to Cuprafor micro® (copper oxychloride) and Swing® Gold (dimoxystrobin and epoxiconazole). Data were analyzed with an energy-based toxicodynamic model coupled with a toxicokinetic model. The copper fungicide caused a drastic growth inhibition once the no effect concentration (NEC), estimated at 65 mg kg-1 of copper, was exceeded. The Swing® Gold negatively affected the growth with NEC values estimated at 0.387 mg kg-1 and 0.128 mg kg-1 for the dimoxystrobin and the epoxiconazole in this fungicide formulation, respectively. The time-profile of the effects on A. caliginosa individuals was fully accounted for by the model, whatever their age of exposure. Furthermore, toxicity data analyses, supported by measurements of fungicide concentrations in earthworm at the end of the experiment, allowed bettering understanding of the mechanisms of action of the fungicides towards earthworm growth.

Management of root rot of soybean in Alberta with fungicide seed treatments and genetic resistance

Root rot caused by Fusarium spp. is prevalent in soybean crops in Alberta, Canada. To mitigate the risk to soybean crops caused by Fusarium spp., nine seed-treatment fungicide formulations were assessed for their efficacy in promoting seedling survival, reducing root rot symptoms, and maintaining yield. Twelve soybean varieties were also assessed for resistance to seedling blight and tolerance to Fusarium root rot. All treatments except Vibrance + Apron XL improved emergence. All the fungicide formulations reduced root rot severity on Fusarium-inoculated soybean seedlings under field conditions and all treatments except Vibrance + Apron XL reduced root rot under greenhouse conditions. Among the varieties, ‘90M01’ showed lower reductions in emergence than all the others except ‘900Y61’ and ‘900Y81’ under field conditions and emergence losses for ‘900Y71’ were greater than all other varieties. ‘LS003RR’ had a lower disease severity rating compared with ‘TH32004R2Y’, ‘27005RR’, and ‘900Y71’. ‘NSC Portage’ had a higher nodulation rating compared with all the other varieties except ‘90M01’. Yield losses were consistently low for ‘TH32004R2Y’ and ‘900Y71’. Under greenhouse conditions, ‘900Y81’ had lower seedling losses compared with all the other varieties except ‘Tundra’ and ‘OAC Prudence’. ‘900Y71’ had a greater loss of emergence than all the other varieties except ‘NSC Portage’ and ‘LS005RR’. ‘900Y81’, ‘OAC Prudence’, and ‘Tundra’ had lower disease severity compared with all the other varieties except ‘TH27005RR’ and ‘900Y61’. Shoot length and dry mass were lower for ‘900Y81’ compared with all the other varieties, while root dry mass was lower for ‘OAC Prudence’ compared with ‘LS005RR’, ‘90M01’, ‘TH29002RR’, and ‘LS003RR’.

Dissipation kinetics of tebuconazole on Malus domestica (Golden Delicious and Jonathan) in an apple orchard from north-eastern Romania

Tebuconazole (TEB) dissipation behavior on Golden Delicious and Jonathan leaf, bark, peel and flesh apple samples was investigated in the present work. The interest fungicides were sequentially applied as a spray in four foliar applications, in full agreement with an apple orchard-protection program recommended by Bayer. For studying TEB dissipation, apple tree related samples were collected in advance (reference) and as soon as applications dried out (3 h), and then at 2, 5, 7.5, 10, and 15 day after the treatment. Reference apple tree samples were analyzed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for their corresponding chemical and phytochemical composition. Tebuconazole dissipation on apple leaf, bark and peel could be adequately described by a single first-order kinetic model. In apple flesh samples traces of TEB were not detected. Higher TEB dissipation rate constant was observed in apple leaf than in peel and bark apple samples. The half-life time of TEB varies in the 2.71–16.03 d range and might reach a critical value of 1 d under the most reactive circumstances. The results obtained in the present study show that the dissipation parameters are sensitive to the composition of used combined fungicide formulations and also to their corresponding applied dose.

Tools for strategic management of postharvest technology: an application to the Portuguese pear industry

Technology management is an essential part of business planning. Rapid technological turnover and regulatory changes, such as the ban on chemicals for postharvest applications, can disrupt equilibria within supply-chains and challenge the horticultural business in a context of intense international competition. A recent example is the ban on diphenylamine (DPA), which had been the standard technology to mitigate superficial scald and internal browning disorders during long-term storage of ‘Rocha’ pear. In 2010, the economic impact of the ban on DPA on the Portuguese pear industry was estimated in 22 to 39 million euros, i.e., 16 to 28% of the crop value, and the industry was caught without alternatives. This example highlights that technology is an external variable for the horticultural industry and adequate transitions between technologies require surveillance for adequate timing and a good understanding of technological curves. As a consequence, a toolkit to support the strategic management of postharvest technology was developed and applied to the Portuguese pear industry. Industry managers were asked to list the postharvest technologies most relevant to their business. After this open list, the concepts underlying technology management were explained and the participants were guided through a series of templates in order to sequentially identify i) the company’s technology portfolio, ii) a technological matrix to position each technology according to its competitive impact and the degree to which the company is skilled dealing with the technology, iii) position the technology in its life cycle, iv) list five technologies that should object to continuous technological surveillance and, finally, v) develop a technology roadmap. At the end of the workshop an industry-wide assessment of technology was produced. In brief, postharvest fungicides, grading, and packaging systems were considered basic technologies, those that are dominated by the company but no longer provide competitive advantages. Dynamic controlled atmosphere and 1-methylcycloprpene were considered key technologies, i.e., those that are likely to have large competitive advantages for the sector. Finally, non-destructive methods for quality assessment, edible coatings, water disinfectants, and novel fungicide formulations were considered the main emerging technologies that require surveillance. Awareness of the technological changes by horticultural production and packinghouse businesses had limited foresight.

Meta-analysis of yield response of foliar fungicide-treated hybrid corn in the United States and Ontario, Canada.

BackgroundFoliar fungicide applications to corn (Zea mays L.) occur at one or more application timings ranging from early vegetative growth stages to mid-reproductive stages. Previous studies indicated that fungicide applications are profitable under high disease pressure when applied during the tasseling to silking growth stages. Few comprehensive studies in corn have examined the impact of fungicide applications at an early vegetative growth stage (V6) compared to late application timings (VT) for yield response and return on fungicide investment (ROI) across multiple locations.ObjectiveCompare yield response of fungicide application timing across multiple fungicide classes and calculate the probability of positive ROI.MethodsData were collected specifically for this analysis using a uniform protocol conducted in 13 states in the United States and one province in Canada from 2014–2015. Data were subjected to a primary mixed-model analysis of variance. Subsequent univariate meta-analyses, with and without moderator variables, were performed using standard meta-analytic procedures. Follow-up power and prediction analyses were performed to aid interpretation and development of management recommendations.ResultsFungicide application resulted in a range of yield responses from -2,683.0 to 3,230.9 kg/ha relative to the non-treated control, with 68.2% of these responses being positive. Evidence suggests that all three moderator variables tested (application timing, fungicide class, and disease base level), had some effect (α = 0.05) on the absolute difference in yield between fungicide treated and non-treated plots (). Application timing influenced , with V6 + VT and the VT application timings resulting in greater yield responses than the V6 application timing alone. Fungicide formulations that combined demethylation inhibitor and quinone outside inhibitor fungicides significantly increased yield response.ConclusionFoliar fungicide applications can increase corn grain yield. To ensure the likelihood of a positive ROI, farmers should focus on applications at VT and use fungicides that include a mix of demethylation inhibitor and quinone outside inhibitor active ingredients.

The effectiveness of The Formulation of Cocoa Pod Husk (Theobroma cacao L.) Based Botanical Fungicides on Fusarium Wilt Disease on Tomato Plants

The study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of botanical fungicide formulations of cacao pod husk (Theobroma cacao L.) on the intensity of fusarium wilt in tomato plants. The research was carried out at the Biology Experimental Laboratory in Universitas Negeri Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The study design used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with six treatments, namely KSH (control of health treatment without treatment), KSK (control of sick plants treated F. oxysporum f.sp licopersicy), BSTR (benomyl + treatment of F. oxysporum f.sp licopersicy). EKBK (treatment of cacao pod husk extract + treatment of F. oxysporum f.sp licopersicy). The EKBK treatment used cacao pod husk extract with 3 types of concentration, namely: 2% (v/v); 5% (v/v); and 8% (v/v). Each treatment consisted of 10 replications so that the total number was 60 experiment units. Observations included the number of yellowing and deciduous leaves due to the Fusarium oxysporum attack on tomato plants. The results showed that botanical fungicides from cacao pod husk extract were able to reduce the intensity of fusarium wilt attacks. At a concentration of 2% (v/v) tomato plants that were attacked by fusarium wilt by 54%; concentration of 5% (v/v) of tomato plants attacked by fusarium wilt at 34.5%; and a concentration of 8% (v/v) of tomato plants attacked by fusarium wilt at 23.8%. The results obtained showed that the intensity of the attacks that occurred in the use of botanical fungicides from cacao pod husk extract was lower than the use of synthetic fungicides (benomyl) which was equal to 39.0%.

Toxicological effects of comercial formulations of fungicides based on procymidone and iprodione in seedlings and root tip cells of Allium cepa.

In this study the phytotoxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of two commercial fungicide-active compounds, procymidone (PR) and iprodione (IP), were determined. The parameters evaluated were germination and root growth, mitotic index, chromosomal and nuclear aberrations, and molecular analyses were also performed in the model plant Allium cepa L. The results demonstrated that the active compounds PR and IP were phytotoxic, delaying germination and slowing the development of A. cepa seedlings. Moreover, PR and IP showed cytogenotoxicity towards A. cepa meristematic cells, inducing chromosomal changes and cell death. The mutagenic activity of the active compounds was demonstrated by the detection of DNA changes in simple sequence repeat (SSR) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers in the treated cells compared to the negative control. Together, these results contribute to a better understanding of the damage caused by these substances in living organisms and reveal a promising strategy for prospective studies of the toxic effects of environmental pollutants.