TREATING SHRUNKEN-2 SWEET CORN SEED WITH FUNGICIDE INFUSED VIA ACETONE

Experiments were conducted to determine if the fungicide imazalil infu sed into shrunken-2 sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. rugosa Bonaf.) seed v ia acetone could protect against soil- and seedborne fungi enough to i mprove germination and vigor. 'Florida Staysweet' and 'Crisp-n-Sweet 7 10' seeds were infused for 0.25 hours with 1% or 2% (w/w) imazalil-ace tone (IA) solutions, air-dried, and subjected to a modified laboratory seedling growth cold test using sterile soil or soil inoculated with Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon. Both IA concentrations significantly red uced the incidence of diseased seedlings in soil inoculated with F. mo niliforme when compared to nontreated controls. Neither treatment sign ificantly reduced the incidence of seedborne fungi. Chemical name used : dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-propenyloxy)ethyl-H-imidazole (imazalil).