OCCURRENCE AND CONTROL OF CYLINDROCLADIUM BLACK ROT IN PEANUTS IN FLORIDA

Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR) of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), cause d by Cylindrocladium crotalariae (Loos) Bell & Sobers (teliomorph: Cal onectria crotalariae (Loos) Bell & Sobers), was first identified in Fl orida in Alachua and Columbia counties in 1975. By 1977, CBR of peanut was found also in Levy, Suwannee, and Marion counties. Between 1983 a nd 1990, CBR of peanut was found in Jackson, Santa Rosa, Washington, O kaloosa, and Gadsden counties in the panhandle area of Florida. No con trol measures were available to reduce losses of yield and quality cau sed by CBR. In a field test in 1989 in Santa Rosa County, 'Florunner' had less CBR than did 'NC 10C', a cultivar reported to have some resis tance to CBR. In 1990 and 1991, several chemicals were tested in the f ield to determine if they would control CBR with overhead sprays. Thre e mid-season applications of benomyl, diniconizole, tubuconizole, or i prodione in 0.51-m spray bands over the top of the canopy suppressed C BR. Initiation of the spray program at 21 or 34 days after planting pr ovided similar levels of control.