Cyazofamide: a fungicide against Bremia lactucae on lettuce

During 2007 and 2008 summers, experimentation was performed by the Bioagritest test facility, according to EPPO guidelines and Principles of Good Experimental Practice (GEP), aiming at establishing the biological efficacy of Cyazofamide 25SC (formulate MILDICUT, Belchim) and Cyazofamide 400SC + an organosilicone adjuvant containing polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane (Ranman 400 SC, Belchim) on lettuce against Bremia lactucae. The study was performed in Nocera Inferiore (Salerno), southern Italy, in a greenhouse with polyethylene cover. Experimental design consisted in random blocks, in 3 repetitions. Two different dosages of the formulate Mildicut--3.5 lt/ha and 4.5 lt/ha--were compared with the unique dosage 0.350 lt/ha of Ranman and a commercial formulate: 2.4% metalaxyl-M + 40% copper, 4 kg/ha (Ridomil Gold R 46 WP, Syngenta Crop Protection). Four foliage applications were applied every 7 days. The intensity and diffusion of the disease were evaluated on Leaves together with eventual phytotoxic effects. The extreme climatic conditions occurred during the course of study, with rather low temperatures and high humidity in the greenhouse, accompanied by high rainfall outside, allowed for extremely serious attacks by Bremia Lactucae, as to make the 3 replications of the checks strongly compromised. Experimental results show the excellent effectiveness of Cyazofamide: both the two doses of Mildicut and Ranman, such as the standard formulate used in comparison, showed to be effective in the control of the disease, highlighting a strong biological activity against B. Lactuce. No effect of phytotoxicity was noticed on leaves.