Botrytis and Anthracnose fruit rots, caused by Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum spp., respectively, are major strawberry diseases. This study aimed to compare organic and conventional strawberry production systems by evaluating the sensitivity of B. cinerea and Colletotrichum spp. isolates to the main single-site fungicides used in Brazil and by characterizing the spatial and temporal dynamics of the diseases caused by these pathogens using epidemiological tools. Isolates were collected from conventional and organic fields in four different Brazilian states from 2013 to 2015. Resistance to azoxystrobin, iprodione and thiophanate-methyl was found in B. cinerea isolates with EC50 values higher than 71.9, 688 and 1.2 μg/ml, respectively. Resistance to the aforementioned fungicides was observed in 87.5, 76.6 and 92.2 % of isolates from conventional fields, and 31.4, 22.9 and 51.4 % of isolates from organic fields, respectively. Moreover, frequencies of populations with multiple fungicide resistance to the three active ingredients were 75 and 8.6 %, with no resistance to any of the fungicides were 6.25 and 34.3 % for isolates collected from conventional and organic areas, respectively. Molecular analyses of the cytochrome b, beta-tubulin and bos1 genes revealed, respectively, the presence of G143A, E198A and I365N/S, Q369P or N373S mutations in resistant populations of B. cinerea. Fungicides sprayed preventively on strawberry fruit inoculated with B. cinerea failed to control resistant isolates. Isolates of C. acutatum resistant to azoxystrobin and difenoconazole were not observed. Mean EC50 values for isolates collected from organic fields were 0.44 and 0.95 μg/ml, and from conventional areas were 0.629 and 0.107 μg/ml for azoxystrobin and difenoconazole, respectively. Populations of C. acutatum showed insensitivity to thiophanate-methyl rather than resistance and EC50 values could not be determined. None of the isolates contained the most common mutations associated with fungicide resistance. The temporal and spatial dynamics of Botrytis and Anthracnose fruit rots were characterized in the 2015 strawberry season in conventional and organic farms. Temporal progress models were fitted to the cumulative incidence of diseased strawberry fruit or plants over time with non-linear regressions. The spatial pattern of the diseases was analyzed according to the index of dispersion (D), the index of aggregation (V/M), and the Taylor\'s power law. The incidence-diseased fruit density relationship was analyzed by fitting a linear model. Fruit with symptoms of Colletotrichum spp. were not observed in the organic area and were found in few assessment dates in the conventional area. Incidence of Botrytis fruit rot in symptomatic fruit and plants were generally well described by the logistic model. The organic area presented disease incidence and daily progress rate higher than the conventional area. The aggregation of diseased fruit on strawberry plants were observed for both areas. Botrytis fruit rot presented similar epidemiological patterns for both conventional and organic areas, however, disease intensity was greater for the organic area; this was likely due to differences in disease control management. This study reinforces the importance for the implementation of integrated management programs in strawberry nurseries and production fields. / Mofo cinzento e antracnose do fruto, causados por Botrytis cinerea e Colletotrichum spp., respectivamente, são as mais importantes doenças em morangueiro. Esse estudo objetivou comparar sistemas de produção orgânico e convencional em morangueiro através da avaliação da sensibilidade de isolados de B. cinerea e Colletotrichum spp. aos principais fungicidas sítio-específicos utilizados no Brasil, e da caracterização das dinâmicas espacial e temporal das doenças com o uso de ferramentas epidemiológicas. Isolados foram coletados em campos convencionais e orgânicos em quatro diferentes Estados brasileiros nos anos de 2013 a 2015. Resistência à azoxistrobina, iprodiona e tiofanato-metílico foi encontrada em isolados de B. cinerea com valores de CE50 maiores que 71,9, 688 and 1,2 μg/ml, respectivamente. Resistência aos fungicidas acima mencionados foi observada em 87,5, 76,6 and 92,2 % dos isolados provenientes de campos convencionais e em 31,4, 22,9 and 51,4 % dos isolados oriundos de campos orgânicos, respectivamente. Além do mais, frequências de populações com resistência múltipla aos três fungicidas foram 75 e 8,6 %; e com nenhuma resistência a qualquer dos produtos, 6,25 e 34,3 % para isolados coletados em campos convencionais e orgânicos, respectivamente. Análise molecular dos genes do citocromo b, beta-tubulina e bos1 revelaram, respectivamente, a presença das mutações G143A, E198A e I365N/S, Q369P ou N373S em populações resistentes. Fungicidas aplicados preventivamente em morangos inoculados com B. cinerea falharam em controlar isolados resistentes. Isolados de C. acutatum resistentes à azoxistrobina e ao difenoconazole não foram observados. Valores médios de CE50 para isolados coletados em campos orgânicos foram 0,44 e 0,95 μg/ml; e para isolados de áreas convencionais, 0,629 e 0,107 μg/ml para azoxistrobina e difenoconazole, respectivamente. Populações de C. acutatum demonstraram insensibilidade ao tiofanato-metílico e valores de CE50 não puderam ser determinados. Nenhum dos isolados analisados continha as mutações comumente associadas à resistência a fungicidas. As dinâmicas temporal e espacial das doenclas causadas por esses patógenos foram caracterizadas na safra de 2015 em campos de morangueiro convencional e orgânico. Modelos de progresso temporal foram ajustados à incidência cumulativa de frutos ou plantas doentes no tempo com regressões não-lineares. O padrão espacial das doenças foi analisado de acordo com o índice de dispersão (D), índice de agregação (V/M) e lei de Taylor. A relação incidência-densidade de frutos doentes foi analisada com o ajuste de um modelo linear. Frutos com sintomas de Colletotrichum spp. não foram observados na área orgânica e foram encontrados em poucos dias de avaliação na área convencional. Incidência de mofo cinzento em frutos e plantas foi bem descrita pelo modelo logístico. A área orgânica apresentou incidência de doença e taxa de progresso diária maiores que da área convencional. A agregação de frutos doentes em plantas foi observada para ambos os locais. O mofo cinzento apresentou padrões epidemiológicos semelhantes para as áreas convencional e orgância, porém com maior intensidade de doença no campo orgânico, provavelmente em decorrência do manejo adotado para controle de doenças. Esse estudo reforça a importância da implementação de programas de manejo integrado de doenças em viveiros de mudas e campos de produção de morangueiro.

Target spot is a foliar disease of soybean that can produce yield losses. The disease has recently become a concern due to increasing intensity of its epidemics in the main soybean growing countries (USA, Brazil and Argentina). The goals of this study were to i) estimate the target spot control efficiency and yield response of labeled fungicides for the main soybean growing region of Brazil and identify factors affecting their performance; ii) characterize the relationship between target spot severity and soybean yield using meta-analytic techniques, and to identify patterns which allow understanding the heterogeneity in the relationship; iii) to explore the variability of genetic resistance of cultivars and verify the less time-consuming methodology for doing it; iv) explore the pathogen-host interaction effects on the epidemic development; v) compare the sensitiveness of the canopy strata position injured by C. cassiicola to reduce grain yield. Fungicides containing fluxapyroxad + pyraclostrobin were the most efficient ones to control target spot, with control levels of 75% and their yield response depended on the disease pressure (DP, DPLow < 35% target spot severity at untreated checks <= DPHigh). At DPLow was unprofitable the use of fungicides and at DPHigh the latter fungicides had the best performances increasing yield relative to the untreated check in > 469 kg ha-1 (+19.1%). Potential yield of soybean in absence of target spot was estimated in 3507 kg ha-1 for 41 trials in Brazil and the percentual reduction for each target spot severity point was calculated in 0.48%, what would represent a reduction of 24% in a hypothetical target spot severity of 50% (ranging from 8% to 42%). The soybean cultivar had a significant effect to explain this wide range of responses: potential losses of 11%, 18.5% and 42% was calculated for cultivar BMX Potência RR, TMG803 and M9144RR respectively at target spot severity = 50%. We observed high variability on the genetic resistance in the tested germplasm: cultivars with very low target spot intensity (BRS360) to highly susceptible cultivars. A single-point disease severity assessment was not as reliably as an integrative three-point assessment, which had no difference with a less time-consuming two-point disease assessment. In trials where 3 C.cassicola isolates from different regions of Brazil were inoculated individually on 3 soybean cultivars contrasting in their resistance level we observed that the incubation period, disease severity, lesion density and lesion size at 14 days after inoculation, were influenced by the cultivar and not by isolate geographical origin. Using disease severity coupled with defoliation assessments throughout the reproductive growth stages, we performed correlations between grain yield and the leaf area injury at different plant positions - growth stages. The best correlation was observed with the assessments at R5.5 for injuries at middle canopy section. / A mancha alvo é uma doença foliar que pode ocasionar perdas de rendimento na cultura da soja. A doença tornou-se recentemente uma preocupação nos principais países produtores de soja (EUA, Brasil e Argentina), devido à crescente intensidade de suas epidemias. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: i) estimar a eficiência de controle da mancha alvo por fungicidas comerciais registrados no Brasil e a resposta em rendimento da soja, identificando fatores que afetam o desempenho dos fungicidas; ii) caracterizar a relação entre a severidade da mancha alvo e o rendimento da soja, utilizando técnicas meta-analíticas e identificar padrões que permitam compreender a heterogeneidade existente nessa relação; iii) explorar a variabilidade da resistência genética de cultivares de soja e verificar a metodologia mais eficiente para discriminar cultivares suscetíveis de resistentes; iv) explorar os efeitos da interação entre a origem do isolado de C. cassiicola e a cultivar de soja no desenvolvimento da epidemia; v) comparar a sensibilidade da posição do estrato do dossel afetado por C. cassiicola na redução do rendimento de grãos. Fungicidas compostos pelos ingredientes ativos fluxapyroxad + piraclostrobina foram os mais eficientes para controlar a mancha alvo, com níveis de controle de até 75%, e sua resposta ao rendimento dependeu da pressão da doença (PD, PDbaixa < 35% de severidade da mancha alvo na testemunha não tratada <= PDalta). Na PDbaixa, a aplicação de fungicidas não foi lucrativa, e em PDalta os fungicidas compostos por fluxapyroxad + piraclostrobina apresentaram os melhores desempenhos, superando o rendimento em relação à testemunha em 469 kg ha-1 (+ 19,1%). O rendimento potencial geral da soja, na ausência da mancha alvo, foi estimado em 3507 kg ha-1 para 41 ensaios distribuídos no Brasil. A redução no rendimento para cada ponto percentual de incremento na severidade da mancha alvo foi calculada em 0,48%. Com isso, níveis (hipotéticos) de severidade de mancha alvo de 50% ocasionariam uma redução de rendimento de 24% (variando entre 8% a 42%). A cultivar de soja teve um efeito significativo para explicar esta grande amplitude de respostas: reduções potenciais (com 50% de severidade) de 11%, 18,5% e 42% foram calculadas, respectivamente, para as cultivares BMX Potência RR, TMG803 e M9144RR. Foi constatada alta variabilidade na resistência genética no germoplasma testado, desde cultivares com intensidade de mancha alvo muito baixa (BRS360) até cultivares altamente suscetíveis. Avaliações da severidade da doença em uma única data não foi tão confiável quanto a avaliação integrada de duas ou três datas. Em experimentos onde 3 isolados de diferentes regiões do Brasil foram inoculados isoladamente em 3 cultivares contrastantes nos níveis de resistência, observou-se que o período de incubação, a severidade da doença, a densidade de lesões e o tamanho das lesões aos 14 dias após a inoculação foram influenciados pela cultivar. Porém, não foi observado efeito da origem geográfica do isolado de C. cassiicola nos componentes monocíclicos avaliados. A severidade da doença em diferentes posições da planta, juntamente com as avaliações de desfolha ao longo dos estádios de crescimento reprodutivo da soja, foi correlacionada ao rendimento de grãos. A melhor correlação entre o rendimento de grãos e a intensidade da doença (severidade + desfolha) foi observada nas avaliações em R5.5 na seção média do dossel.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:44:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_leticia_dos_santos_holbig.pdf: 122179 bytes, checksum: 4242f0c09c55bf484ae980dfebe196bf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-03-08 / The objective of the study was to evaluate the physiological performance of onion seed after hydroconditioning and coated with polymer and fungicide. Onion seeds cv. Ball early-Hortec ®, Bagé / RS; have been used and subject to hydroconditioning physiological or hydroconditioning samples in 5.0 g of seed pads between two sheets of paper Germitest, with 2.5 times the dry weight of the paper, for 24 hours at 25 ° C. After hydroconditioning made to the drying of the seed in greenhouses with circulation of air forced to ± 35 ° C for 20 hours, until they reach the initial humidity of 7%. Soon after was the coated with polymer-Colorseed Rigran ® in the dose of 50mL.kg-1 and the fungicide Captan ® in the dose of 0.002 g.kg-1. The treatments were to: 1-witness, 2-seed+fungicide, 3 seed+polymer, 4-seed+fungicide +polymer, 5-seed hydroconditioned, 6-seed hidrocondicionada + fungicide, 7-seed hidrocondicionada + polymer, 8 seed+fungicidehidrocondicionada+ polymer. The statistical approach was used 2X4 factorial, with 4 repetitions and averages were compared by Duncan test of the level of significance of 5%. Results showed that the seeds of onion hydroconditioning promoted germination, speed emergency and the percentage of seedlings emerged. Seeds hydroconditioned led seedlings greater and greater accumulation of biomass. Seeds of onion hydroconditioned and covered with polymer-Colorseed Rigran® in the dose of 50mL. Kg-1 and fungicide Captan® at the dose of 0.2%, expressed force that better seeds not conditional. / O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho fisiológico de sementes de cebola após hidrocondicionamento e recobrimento com polímero e fungicida. Foram utilizadas sementes de cebola cv. Bola precoce - Hortec®, Bagé/RS; submetidas ao hidrocondicionamento fisiológico ou hidrocondicionamento em amostras de 5,0 g de sementes embebidas entre duas folhas de papel Germitest, com 2,5 vezes o peso seco do papel, durante 24 horas a 25ºC. Após o hidrocondicionamento efetuou-se a secagem das sementes em estufa com circulação de ar forçado à ±35ºC por 20 horas, até atingirem a umidade inicial de 7%. Logo após foi realizado o recobrimento com o polímero Colorseed-Rigran® na dose de 50mL.kg-1 e o fungicida Captan® na dose de 0,002g.kg-1 . Os tratamentos constituíram-se: 1-testemunha, 2-sementes+fungicida, 3- sementes+polímero, 4-sementes+fungicida+polímero, 5- semente hidrocondicionada, 6- semente hidrocondicionada+fungicida, 7- semente hidrocondicionada+polímero, 8- semente hidrocondicionada+fungicida+polímero. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi fatorial 2X4, com 4 repetições e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Duncan ao nível de 5% de significância. Os resultados mostraram que o hidrocondicionamento das sementes de cebola favoreceu a germinação, velocidade de emergência e a porcentagem de plântulas emergidas. Sementes hidrocondicionadas originaram plântulas maiores e com maior acúmulo de biomassa. As sementes de cebola hidrocondicionadas e recobertas com polímero Colorseed-Rigran® na dose de 50mL. kg-1 e fungicida Captan® na dose de 0,2%, expressaram melhor vigor que sementes não condicionadas.

<p>Frogeye leaf spot (FLS) is a foliar disease in soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> (L.) Merr.) caused by the fungal pathogen <i>Cercospora sojina</i> Hara. FLS is commonly found in hot and humid regions of the southern United States but has become more common in the North Central states. Foliar application of quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides has been one of the major tools used in the management of this disease, but QoI-resistant <i>C. sojina</i> isolates have been already confirmed in 21 states, including Indiana. We hypothesized that resistant populations of <i>C. sojina</i> to QoIs fungicides are widespread in Indiana and that sexual reproduction is occurring within <i>C. sojina</i> populations, likely contributing to the dissemination of fungicide resistance. The main objectives of this research were to determine the distribution of QoI-resistant <i>C. sojina</i> isolates on soybean from Indiana and to evaluate <i>C. sojina </i>populations for potential sexual reproduction. In the summer of 2019 and 2020, 406 isolates of <i>C. sojina </i>were collected from 32 counties across Indiana and screened for QoI-fungicide resistance using a PCR-RFLP method. An i<i>n vitro </i>fungicide sensitivity test was performed on a subset of isolates to evaluate the sensitivity of <i>C. sojina</i> isolates to azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, and prothioconazole. A discriminatory dose of picoxystrobin (QoI) and prothioconazole (demethylation inhibitor- DMI) were established at 1 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml, respectively, to distinguish between QoI-resistant and sensitive isolates and to identify a reduction in sensitivity to DMI fungicides, respectively. Discriminatory doses were estimated by testing five concentrations (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 µg/ml) of each fungicide. QoI-resistant isolates were found in 29 out of the 32 counties. Two hundred and fifty-one (251) out of the 406 isolates (61.8%) were confirmed as QoI-resistant. Partial nucleotide sequences of the cyt <i>b</i> gene from four resistant and four sensitive <i>C. sojina</i> isolates corroborated the presence and absence of the G143A mutation, respectively. Results from the sensitivity assays with azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin discriminatory doses supported the findings from the PCR-RFLP assay as all QoI-resistant mutants were inhibited less than 50% when exposed to these doses. Results from this study indicated that QoI-resistant <i>C. sojina</i> isolates are spread throughout Indiana and that prothioconazole (DMI) could be a potential supplemental or alternative fungicide to control FLS. Additionally, mating type distribution was determined in 43 <i>C. sojina</i> populations for assessment of potential sexual reproduction. Fifteen (15) populations did not deviate significantly from the expected 1:1 ratio, suggesting potential for cryptic sexual reproduction in these populations, but further research on genetic diversity is required to verify these results. </p> <p> </p>

<p>  </p> <p>Sudden death syndrome (SDS) caused by <em>Fusarium virguliforme</em> is one of the top yield-reducing diseases of soybean. This disease results in a two-stage symptom development, root rot followed by foliar interveinal chlorosis and necrosis. Foliar symptoms typically appear late in the growing season [full pod to full seed (R4 to R6) reproductive growth stages]. Prior to foliar symptoms, a destructive technique is usually carried out to identify the root rot phase of SDS. This technique requires intensive crop scouting and an expert for accurate diagnosis. Therefore, a nondestructive technique is needed to diagnose SDS disease in the absence of visible foliar symptoms. Additionally, no soybean cultivar is completely resistant to SDS and no single method can completely manage this disease. So, an improved integrated approach is needed for SDS disease management. </p> <p>Foliar fungal diseases such as frogeye leaf spot (<em>Cercospora sojina</em> Hara), Septoria brown spot (<em>Septoria glycines</em> Hemmi), and Cercospora leaf blight (<em>Cercospora</em> spp.) are also economically important diseases of soybean. To limit the losses caused by these diseases, several management methods can be used including the application of foliar fungicide. However, due to the low foliar disease pressure that is observed most years, fungicide applications may not be warranted to be applied annually in Indiana. </p> <p>The objectives of this research were: 1) to assess the effectiveness and economic impact of integrated management strategies that include cultivar selection, seed treatment, and seeding rate on SDS in Indiana; 2) to pre-symptomatically and non-destructively detect SDS disease using hyperspectral measurements; and 3) to evaluate foliar fungicides on soybean foliar diseases and yield in Indiana. </p> <p>Results from this research support the use of a seed treatment to protect soybean roots from SDS infection and the use of a moderately resistant cultivar planted at a seeding rate of 346,535 seeds/ha to protect yield and maximize on net returns. This research also demonstrated the ability of hyperspectral reflectance to discriminate healthy from <em>F. virguliforme</em> infected soybean roots in the absence of foliar symptoms. In addition, results show that fungicide applications can reduce foliar disease over the nontreated control, but under low foliar disease risk, these fungicides did not significantly increase yield over the nontreated control. Altogether, these results will contribute to improved soybean disease management approaches in Indiana.</p>

Sclerotinia homoeocarpa (F.T. Bennett) is one of the most economically important pathogens on high amenity cool-season turfgrasses where it causes dollar spot. Due to decades of over-reliance and repeated chemical treatments, S. homoeocarpa has developed resistance and insensitivity to multiple classes of fungicides. To understand the genetic mechanisms of fungicide resistance, the whole genomes of two strains with varying resistance levels to fungicides, were sequenced. In unpublished data (Sang et al.), a RNA-sequencing analysis revealed three CYP450s that were validated to play a functional role in S. homoeocarpa’s resistance against different fungicide classes. We also identified CYP450 metabolic action on the multi-site mode of action fungicide chlorothalonil. Chlorothalonil is an extensively used contact fungicide and has been known to be persistent in soils. Yet, S. homoeocarpa resistance to chlorothalonil has not been reported in the field. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) indicated faster rates of chlorothalonil biotransformation by CYP450 overexpression strains when compared to the wild-type. We show by GC-MS that the primary transformation intermediate found in soils, 4-hydroxy-2,5,6 trichloroisophthalonitrile is produced by CYP450s’ metabolism.

No description available.

Rhizoctonia blight (sensu lato) is a common and serious disease of many turfgrass species. The most widespread causal agent R. solani consists of several genetically different anastomosis groups (AGs) and subgroups. Though anastomosis or hyphal fusion reactions have been used to group Rhizoctonia species, they are time consuming and sometimes difficult to interpret. Anastomosis reactions are incapable of identifying isolates belonging to different AG subgroups within an AG. This study evaluated molecular techniques in comparison with traditional anastomosis grouping (AG) to identify and group isolates of Rhizoctonia. More than 400 Rhizoctonia isolates were collected from diseased turfgrass leaves from eight geographic areas in Virginia and Maryland. A random sample of 86 isolates was selected and initially characterized by colony morphology, nuclei staining and anastomosis grouping. Molecular identification was performed by analysis of rDNA-ITS region and DNA fingerprinting techniques universally primed PCR (UP-PCR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). The cladistic analysis of ITS sequences and UP-PCR fragments supported seven clusters. Isolates of R. solani AG 1-IB (n=18), AG 2-2IIIB (n=30) and AG 5 (n=1) clustered separately. Waitea circinata var. zeae (n=11), and var. circinata (n=4) grouped separately. A cluster of six isolates (UWC) did not fall into any known Waitea group. Most of the binucleate Rhizoctonia-like fungi (BNR) (n=16) grouped separately. AFLP grouping also largely agreed with the above results. However, UWC isolates clustered into two groups. Molecular analyses corresponded well with traditional anastomosis grouping by clustering isolates within an AG or AG subgroup together. UP-PCR cross-hybridization could distinguish closely related Rhizoctonia isolates to their infraspecies level. Genetically related isolates belonging to the same AG subgroups cross-hybridized strongly, while isolates of different AGs did not cross-hybridize or did so weakly. Sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers were generated from UP-PCR products to identify isolates of major pathogenic groups AG 1-IB and AG 2-2IIIB. Specific primer pairs successfully distinguished isolates of AG 1-IB and AG 2-2IIIB from isolates of other AGs. Sensitivity of Rhizoctonia species and AGs was tested in vitro to commercial formulations of iprodione, triticonazole and pyraclostrobin. W. circinata isolates were moderately sensitive to iprodione while isolates of R. solani and BNR were extremely sensitive. Isolates of AG 2-2IIIB showed less sensitivity to triticonazole than other Rhizoctonia isolates. W. circinata var. zeae isolates were moderately sensitive to pyraclostrobin while most of the other isolates were extremely sensitive. / Ph. D.

Seedling blight of maize has significantly influenced field crop stands and seedling vigour over various localities and seasons. The extent of the problem is influenced by a number of factors which includes soil temperature (generally below 13 °C), waterlogged soils, inadequate fertilization, herbicide damage and fungal pathogens. The fungi generally causing seedling damping off are often involved in a complex and succession over time varying in importance depending on the field circumstances at a given time. These generally include the Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp. and various Fusarium spp. These have been recorded in a number of studies conducted by local researchers in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s on sorghum but to a lesser degree on maize. Uncertainty regarding the status of the etiology of maize seedling blights as maize production practices have changed dramatically in the last 10 years with increased plant populations, reduced tillage, increased crop rotation options and new short season maize hybrids. It is therefore essential to determine the present status of seedling blights in South Africa to confirm the necessity of fungicide seed treatments to ensure adequate plant densities and seedling vigour. Cob and tassel smut caused by Sphacelotheca reiliana is a disease of maize that was a problem in the 1970’s. Due to improved fertilisation, fungicide seed treatments and hybrid resistance this disease was reduced to such levels that the disease was only found to occur on research farms where seedlings were inoculated. Since 2007, the disease was reported to reach epidemic proportions on the heavy clay soils in the Standerton area. This disease has since spread over the last seven seasons to a range including northern KwaZulu/Natal, namely as far as Underberg/Swartberg, the Witbank, Ermelo, Middelburg and Delmas area in Mpumalanga and to Harrismith in the eastern Free State maize production area. This may be due to susceptible hybrids coming onto the local market or the inability of traditional fungicide seed treatments to contain infection. New and unregistered seed treatments available will be tested for their ability to control cob and tassel smut in two fields over two seasons. The aims of this dissertation were to determine the extent of the seedling blight problem in commercial fields throughout the maize industry. To determine the efficacy of fungicide seed treatments for the control of maize seedling blights using both field and greenhouse studies, and to determine the efficacy of fungicide seed treatments for the control of cob and tassel smut of maize in field trials. A total of 101 localities were sampled throughout the maize producing region of South Africa with root discolouration varying from 0 to 90 % root discolouration. Seventy different fungal species were isolated from the maize seedlings roots which include species such as Aspergillus, Clonostachus, Fusarium, Trichoderma and Penicillium. The most commonly isolated fungi which included Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum were evaluated in glasshouse studies to determine their pathogenicity. Pathogenicity differed between isolates of the same fungal species, which were collected from different geographical regions, in the glasshouse studies. Field trials for seedling blight disease showed significant differences between the localities (P < 0.001) the trials were planted at, and between seed treatments. Significant season (P < 0.001) and locality (P < 0.05) differences were also found for cob and tassel smut trials planted at Potchefstroom, North-West province and Greytown, KwaZulu/Natal Province respectively. Fungicide seed treatments also showed significant differences for cob and tassel smut regarding plants infected (P < 0.001) and yield loss (P < 0.05). Overall seed treatments can be seen as an effective controlling agent for the control of seed- and soil-borne fungi on maize. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Seedling blight of maize has significantly influenced field crop stands and seedling vigour over various localities and seasons. The extent of the problem is influenced by a number of factors which includes soil temperature (generally below 13 °C), waterlogged soils, inadequate fertilization, herbicide damage and fungal pathogens. The fungi generally causing seedling damping off are often involved in a complex and succession over time varying in importance depending on the field circumstances at a given time. These generally include the Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp. and various Fusarium spp. These have been recorded in a number of studies conducted by local researchers in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s on sorghum but to a lesser degree on maize. Uncertainty regarding the status of the etiology of maize seedling blights as maize production practices have changed dramatically in the last 10 years with increased plant populations, reduced tillage, increased crop rotation options and new short season maize hybrids. It is therefore essential to determine the present status of seedling blights in South Africa to confirm the necessity of fungicide seed treatments to ensure adequate plant densities and seedling vigour. Cob and tassel smut caused by Sphacelotheca reiliana is a disease of maize that was a problem in the 1970’s. Due to improved fertilisation, fungicide seed treatments and hybrid resistance this disease was reduced to such levels that the disease was only found to occur on research farms where seedlings were inoculated. Since 2007, the disease was reported to reach epidemic proportions on the heavy clay soils in the Standerton area. This disease has since spread over the last seven seasons to a range including northern KwaZulu/Natal, namely as far as Underberg/Swartberg, the Witbank, Ermelo, Middelburg and Delmas area in Mpumalanga and to Harrismith in the eastern Free State maize production area. This may be due to susceptible hybrids coming onto the local market or the inability of traditional fungicide seed treatments to contain infection. New and unregistered seed treatments available will be tested for their ability to control cob and tassel smut in two fields over two seasons. The aims of this dissertation were to determine the extent of the seedling blight problem in commercial fields throughout the maize industry. To determine the efficacy of fungicide seed treatments for the control of maize seedling blights using both field and greenhouse studies, and to determine the efficacy of fungicide seed treatments for the control of cob and tassel smut of maize in field trials. A total of 101 localities were sampled throughout the maize producing region of South Africa with root discolouration varying from 0 to 90 % root discolouration. Seventy different fungal species were isolated from the maize seedlings roots which include species such as Aspergillus, Clonostachus, Fusarium, Trichoderma and Penicillium. The most commonly isolated fungi which included Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum were evaluated in glasshouse studies to determine their pathogenicity. Pathogenicity differed between isolates of the same fungal species, which were collected from different geographical regions, in the glasshouse studies. Field trials for seedling blight disease showed significant differences between the localities (P < 0.001) the trials were planted at, and between seed treatments. Significant season (P < 0.001) and locality (P < 0.05) differences were also found for cob and tassel smut trials planted at Potchefstroom, North-West province and Greytown, KwaZulu/Natal Province respectively. Fungicide seed treatments also showed significant differences for cob and tassel smut regarding plants infected (P < 0.001) and yield loss (P < 0.05). Overall seed treatments can be seen as an effective controlling agent for the control of seed- and soil-borne fungi on maize. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015