Impact of Fungicide Spray Timings on Foliar Diseases Control in Wheat Cultivars

Abstract

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is grown throughout the winter time in Southern Brazil and turns out to be the main agricultural crop at such a year season in the State of Paraná. However, throughout the crop growing season foliar diseases significantly compromise commercial yields in such a manner as to justify the application of fungicides at the right time to control foliar diseases in production fields. The aim of the current manuscript was to assess the impact of different timings for fungicide application (epoxiconazole + pyraclostrobin) on the control of leaf rust ( Puccinia triticina E.) and yellow spot ( Pyrenophora tritici-repentis ) diseases in two wheat genotypes featured by distinct levels of susceptibility in Southern Brazil. A field trial was conducted in Ponta Grossa, State of Paraná, Brazil, in light of split plot statistical design at an experimental area belonging to CESCAGE. The following treatments were imposed in the current study: control (with no sprays); sprays at the first node, booting and heading; sprays at stem extension and flowering; sprays at booting and heading. Throughout the entire crop growing season, the control treatment was conducive to the highest severity levels for both diseases. The increasing of the area under the diseases progress curve assessed herein substantially impinged upon yield components of both wheat genotypes under scrutiny. In general, fungicide sprays at the first node did not culminate in economical advantages. The best timing for fungicide application was the one ascribed to booting and heading stages.