EFFICACY OF IPRODIONE FOR CONTROL OF STORAGE FUNGI IN CORN

Three experiments were done to determine the efficacy of the fungicide iprodione (Rovral 50WP, Rhone-Poulenc Ag Company) for control of stor age fungi. In 1986, corn (B73 X LH38) harvested at an average of 20.8% moisture was treated with 0, 5, 10, and 20 mug/g (a.i. fungicide/grai n weight adjusted to 15% grain moisture); and the experiment was repea ted in 1987 at an average harvest moisture of 19.9%. In 1987, an addit ional experiment was done with corn (Pioneer 3377) harvested at an ave rage moisture of 25.6% and treated with iprodione at 0, 10, 20, and 40 mug/g (a.i. fungicide/grain weight adjusted to 15% moisture). After t reatment, the grain was augered into modified grain bins and dried usi ng ambient air. The incidence of storage fungi was determined followin g plating of kernels on malt salt agar. Fungicide treatments reduced t he incidence of Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp. when compared to the untreated control. The control of storage fungi resulted in fewer damaged kernels, as determined by a licensed federal grain inspector. Results suggest that low rates of a fungicide applied at harvest can be integrated with currently used control techniques, thus allowing fo r maintenance of quality grain.