Night Spraying Peanut Fungicides I. Extended Fungicide Residual and Integrated Disease Management

The efficacy of chemical control of stem rot (caused by Sclerotium rolfsii) of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) relies partially on increasing deposition and residual activity in the lower canopy. Tebuconazole (0.21 kg a.i./ha, four applications) and azoxystrobin (0.31 kg a.i./ha, two applications) were each applied on peanut plants in daylight or at night, when leaves were folded, in two Tifton, GA, field trials in 2007. Both timings of each fungicide provided similar control of early leaf spot (caused by Cercospora arachidicola). Night applications of azoxystrobin and tebuconazole reduced stem rot at digging and increased yield compared with day applications. Night applications of tebuconazole were also tested in Nicaragua from 2005 to 2007. Peanut plants had less stem rot, similar levels of rust (caused by Puccinia arachidis), and higher yield with night applications than with day applications. Residual activity of azoxystrobin and tebuconazole were improved on the bottom shaded leaves (on which fungicides would be better deposited with night application) compared with top, sun-exposed leaves (where most fungicide would be deposited with a day application) according to a bioassay with S. rolfsii. Increased fungicide residual activity within the bottom canopy may increase fungicide efficacy on stem rot and augment peanut yield.