Gl. Schumann et al., USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS AND IMMUNOASSAYS TO PREDICT RHIZOCTONIA BLIGHT AND SCHEDULE FUNGICIDE APPLICATIONS ON CREEPING BENTGRASS, Crop protection, 13(3), 1994, pp. 211-218
Rhizoctonia blight, commonly called brown patch, is an important disea
se of turfgrass, particularly creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris)
maintained as putting greens and tees. Because the disease is often in
termittent, three forecasting systems were evaluated for their ability
to reduce fungicide applications without development of unacceptable
levels of disease damage. Environment-based (EB) forecasts were based
on environmental parameters associated with disease development in Mas
sachusetts. Immunoassay-based (IB) forecasts were based on reflectance
unit thresholds using pathogen immunoassay field kits. A combination
system that utilized both EB and IB forecasts was also evaluated. The
impact of forecasting systems on fungicide efficacy and number of fung
icide applications in comparison to calendar application schedules was
examined for two growing seasons in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Ge
orgia. Each system provided an acceptable level of disease control and
reduced fungicide applications compared with calendar application sch
edules. The forecasts offer a means to record and justify fungicide ap
plication decisions in integrated pest management programmes.