Dose-response relationship between mancozeb fungicide application in the field and sugarcane growth response
R.C. MagareyA, J.I. BullA and D. GreenwayB
A BSES, PO Box 566, Tully, Queensland 4854, Australia.
B The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia.
Abstract
Based on research in glasshouse experiments, dithiocarbamate fungicides promote growth responses when applied to soil obtained from cane fields affected by sugarcane yield decline. A consistent dose-response relationship has been linked to biological factors. Research was therefore conducted to determine if the same relationship could be obtained from field applications and in a crop grown for the normal cropping period of 12 months. Prolonged effects of the fungicide were also examined by investigating carry over effects in the first ratoon crop. A similar dose-response relationship between glass-house and field was found with large responses to high concentrations of the fungicide mancozeb, and to fumigation with methyl bromide. Carry-over crop responses in the first ratoon crop were minimal, confirming a biological basis to the response.
Plant Protection Quarterly (2003) 18 (4) 143-146.