Kl. Bowen et al., NUMBER OF TEBUCONAZOLE APPLICATIONS FOR MAXIMIZING DISEASE-CONTROL AND YIELD OF PEANUT IN GROWERS FIELDS IN ALABAMA, Plant disease, 81(8), 1997, pp. 927-931
Disease and yields of peanut were monitored in growers' fields treated
with zero, one, two, three, and four applications of tebuconazole. Yi
elds ranged from 1,918 to 6,891 kg/ha and averaged 4,319 kg/ha over ei
ght locations in 3 study years. Defoliation caused by peanut leaf spot
s (Cercospora arachidicola and Cercosporidium acutatum) and incidence
of southern stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii) were inversely related to nu
mber of tebuconazole applications, while yield was directly related to
number of tebuconazole applications. Average yields with zero, one, t
wo, and four tebuconazole applications (each application at 0.25 kg a.
i./ha) were 3,609, 4,088, 4,526, and 4,868 kg/ha, respectively. Data f
rom each location were best modeled by quadratic equations allowing de
termination of numbers of tebuconazole applications for minimal diseas
e and maximal yields. Calculated spray numbers indicate that between t
hree and four applications of tebuconazole is best for disease control
and yield maximization.