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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #280400
Title: Phytotoxicity of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides/acaricides on ornamental conifer (division: pinophyta) species in Southeastern U.S. for interregional research program (IR-4).

Author
item Fraelich, Benjamin - Ben
item Scully, Brian
item Schneider, Sally
item PALMER, C - Rutgers University
item Schwartz Jr, Paul

Submitted to: American Society of Horticulture Science Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/13/2012
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Interregional Research Project (IR-4) is a joint USDA-ARS and Land Grant Institution program that evaluates agricultural chemicals and expands sustainable pest management technologies for growers by providing efficacy and phytotoxicity data needed for registered use on specialty crops that include floral, fruit, herb, nursery, nut and vegetables. In the last ten years, the IR-4 project on the U.S. southeastern coastal plain has completed 24 phytotoxicity experiments on six ornamental conifer species with various agricultural chemicals. Twelve herbicides were applied at label rates as either a broadcast granular or as “over-the-top” foliar sprays Over this same period, five insecticide and six fungicide combinations were applied to conifers using either foliar or drench applications. Field experiments were designed as randomized complete blocks with application method and pesticide treatments assigned to a specific cultivar or species of conifer. Phytotoxicity was measured on a scale of 0 to 10 (0 = no injury; 10 = dead) at various intervals after each application. Plant height and width were also measured at the beginning and end of each experiment to assess any adverse chemical impact on plant growth and marketability. Data were analyzed in MS Excel or ARM using a t-test and results indicated no significant differences in phytotoxicity or marketability between the controls and any of the chemical treatments. These phytotoxicity data are used to support new registration or re-registration of reduced risk pesticides on ornamental horticultural crops. Regional data are compiled from around the U.S. and ultimately submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to facilitate the registration or re-registration of active ingredients.