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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353140
Title: Efficacy of Bordeaux mixture to control pecan scab in large-plot experiments

Author
item Bock, Clive
item Shapiro Ilan, David
item Hotchkiss, Michael - Mike
item WELLS, LENNY - University Of Georgia
item MIZELL, RUSS - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: International Congress of Plant Pathology Abstracts and Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/27/2018
Publication Date: 10/1/2018
Citation: Bock, C.H., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Hotchkiss, M.W., Wells, L., Mizell, R.F. 2018. Efficacy of Bordeaux mixture to control pecan scab in large-plot experiments [abstract]. International Congress of Plant Pathology Abstracts and Proceedings. 108:S1.154.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Venturia effusa causes scab, the most important disease on pecan in the southeastern USA. Organic fungicides have not been widely tested for efficacy against scab on susceptible cultivars. A large-plot experiment was used to test the efficacy of the traditionally-used fungicide against scab, Bordeaux mixture (BM), on trees of cv. Stuart at two sites (Colquitt and Byron) in GA. The experiments were conducted in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (Colquitt only in 2014 and 2015). BM was applied 6 times using an orchard sprayer as follows: 4 lb CuSO4:1 lb hydrated lime, for the 1st spray; followed by 6 lb CuSO4:2 lb hydrated lime for the 2nd - 6th sprays applied in 100 gallons per acre. Fruit samples were assessed for scab severity twice. At the time of the 1st assessment, only in 2011 did BM reduce scab severity (F=56.4, P<0.0001; control = 4.14% fruit area diseased, BM = 1.08% area diseased (a 73.9% reduction). BM significantly reduced severity of scab at the time of the 2nd assessment at Byron in 2011 (F=12.3, P=0.0005) and 2014 (F=4.4, P=0.04), and at the Colquitt location in 2014 (F=30.0, P<0.0001) only. The percentage reduction in severity of scab was 43.9%, 16.2% and 24.4%, respectively. In 2015 at the Colquitt location there was an increase (16.3%) in the severity of scab on fruit of BM-treated trees (F=8.8, P=0.003). The limited control of scab by BM indicates resistant cultivars are preferable in organic production systems in scab-prone areas.