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Watermelon Fungicides 2009
By: Amanda J. Gevens, UF/IFAS Plant Pathology, Gainesville, FL and Pamela D. Roberts, UF/IFAS Plant Pathology, SWFREC, Immokalee, FL
Managing disease in watermelon includes site and cultivar selection, irrigation management, row spacing, and soil preparation. However, once the plants are in the ground, fungicides are an important component of good disease management. The following table includes all of the currently-labeled fungicides for common watermelon diseases in Florida. The list is organized by disease, with products listed alphabetically. Products known to be highly effective have been labeled with an asterisk (*).
FRAC, or the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee, was developed to help provide resistance management guidelines for fungicide use. The FRAC codes help identify fungicides by their mode of action and informs if they should be used in consecutive sprays. The FRAC codes for each material are listed in the following table. (A simple way to remember what to use next in your fungicide rotation is to use a labeled fungicide with a different FRAC number or letter.)
A good general fungicide program would be:
- inspect transplants for health and quality before setting in the field.
- apply Ridomil under the plastic for damping off (Pythium).
- scout plants on a weekly basis (from transplant to harvest) for disease.
- if diseases (such as Gummy Stem Blight or Downy Mildew) are found, it will be necessary to get on a rotation program with one or more of the fungicides in the following table.
- it is a good practice to tank-mix systemic fungicides with protectants, such as Bravo or Dithane.
- routine applications of chlorothalonil (Bravo) alternated with mancozeb (Dithane) can be made until fruit set.
Watermelon Fungicides 2009 |
||||||
| Disease | Material (FRAC codes) | Rate |
Minimum Days |
Remarks | ||
| Formulation | A.I. |
Harvest | Re-Entry | |||
Angular Leaf Spot |
*Fixed copper (M1) |
See label |
- |
0 |
0 |
Repeated use may cause leaf yellowing. |
Bacterial Fruit Blotch |
*Fixed copper (M1) |
See label |
- |
0 |
0 |
Start applic. at first bloom; ineffective once fruit reach full size. Repeated use may cause leaf yellowing. |
Belly Rot or |
*Azoxystrobin (Amistar, Quadris, Heritage) 2.08F (11) |
See label |
See label |
1 |
4 hr |
Make banded applic. to soil surface or in-furrow applic. before seed are covered. |
Chlorothalonil (Bravo Ultrex) 6F |
1.8 lb/A |
1.5 lb a.i./A |
0 |
12 hr |
Use in sufficient water to obtain adequate coverage. Re-apply every 7 days. Spraying mature watermelon fruit may result in sunburn of upper surface. |
|
Potassium phosphates (Fosphite, Fungi-Phite, Prophyt, Topaz) (33) |
See label |
See label |
0 |
See label |
Check label for required min. gal/A. Restrictions are for use following copper applic., plant and environmental conditions that restrict use, and compatibility. |
|
Thiophanate-methyl (Topsin M) 70WP (1) |
0.5 lb/A |
0.35 lb/A |
- |
0.5 days |
Apply in sufficient water to obtain run-off to soil surface. |
|
| Damping-off (Pythium) | *Mefenoxam (Ridomil Gold, Ultra Flourish) (4) |
1 to 2 pt/A |
0.5 to 1 lb/A |
- |
2 days |
Preplant incorporated (broadcast or band); soil spray (broadcast or band); or injection (drip irrigation. |
Potassium phosphates (Fosphite, Fungi-Phite, Prophyt, Topaz) (33) |
See label |
See label |
0 |
See label |
Check label for required min. gal/A. Restrictions are for use following copper applic., plant and environmental conditions that restrict use, and compatibility with other materials. |
|
Propamocarb (Previcur Flex) 6F (28) |
12.8 fl oz/100 gal |
0.6 lb/100 gal |
2 |
0.5 days |
Rates based on rock wool cube saturation in the greenhouse. See label for use in seed beds, drip system, and soil drench. |
|
| Leaf Spots, Alternaria, Anthracnose (Colletotrichum), Cercospora, Gummy Stem Blight (Didymella), Target Spot (Corynespora)
|
*Azoxystrobin (Amistar, Quadris, Heritage) 2.08 F (11) |
11 to 15.4 fl oz/A |
0.18 to 0.25 lb/A |
1 |
4 hr |
Make no more than 1 applic. before alternating with a fungicide with a different mode of action. Apply no more than 2.88 qt/crop/A/season. |
Bacillus spp. (Serenade Max, Sonata, Rhapsody) |
See label |
See label |
0 |
0 |
Do not use product alone. Apply with registered fungicide. |
|
*Chlorothalonil (Bravo Ultrex) 6F (M5) |
1.8-2.7 lb/A |
1.5-2.2 lb a.i./A |
0 |
12 hr |
Use in sufficient water to obtain adequate coverage. Re-apply every 7 days. Spraying mature watermelon fruit may result in sunburn of upper surface. |
|
Copper (M1) |
See label |
- |
- |
- |
Repeated use may cause leaf yellowing. |
|
Famoxadone + cymoxanil (Tanos) 50WP (11+27) |
8 oz/A |
4 oz/A |
3 |
0.5 |
Only for Alternaria and Anthracnose. Do not make >1 applic. before alternating with a fungicide of a different mode of action. Must be tank-mixed with a contact fungicide. |
|
Fenamidone (Reason) 500SC (11) |
5.5 fl oz/A |
0.178 lb/A |
14 |
0.5 day |
Begin applic. when conditions favor disease and continue on 5- to 10-day interval. Do not apply >22 fl oz/season. Alternate with fungicides from different resistance management groups, and make <4 applic. of Group 11 fungicides per season. |
|
*Kresoxim methyl (Sovran) (11) |
4.8 oz |
- |
0 |
12 hr |
For Gummy Stem Blight. Follow resistance management guidelines for QoI fungicides. |
|
*Mancozeb (M3) |
2 to 3 lb/A |
1.6 to 2.4 lb/A |
5 |
1 day |
Apply no more than 24 lb/A/season. |
|
*Maneb (Maneb) 75DF (M3) |
1.2 to 1.6 lb/A |
0.44 to 0.6 lb/A |
5 |
1 day |
Spray at first appearance and then at 7- to 10-day intervals. |
|
*Pyraclostrobin (Cabrio ) 20WG (11) |
12 to 16 oz/A |
2.4 to 3.2 oz/A |
0 |
0.5 |
Do not use for Gummy Stem Blight where resistance to Group 11 (QoI) fungicides exists. Do not make >1applic. before alternating to a fungicide with a different mode of action. |
|
*Pyraclostrobin + boscalid (Pristine) 38WG (11+7) |
12.5 to 18.5 oz/A |
4.8 to 7 oz/A |
0 |
12 hr |
Not for Target Spot. Use highest rate for Anthracnose. Make no more than 4 applications per season. |
|
Tebuconazole |
8 fl oz/A |
0.22 lb/A |
7 |
12 hr |
Gummy stem blight suppression only. Limited to 24 fl oz/A/crop/season. |
|
Thiophanate-methyl (Topsin M) 70WP (1) |
0.5 lb/A |
0.35 lb/A |
- |
0.5 |
Spray at first appearance and then at 7- to 10-day intervals. |
|
Mancozeb + Zoxamide (Gavel) 75DF (M3+22) |
1.5 to 2 lb/A |
1.13 lb to 1.5 lb/A |
5 |
2 |
Begin applications when plants are in 2-leaf stage, and repeat at 7- to 10-day intervals. |
|
Downy
|
Azoxystrobin (Amistar, Quadris, Heritage) 2.08 F (11) |
11 to 15.4 fl oz/A |
0.18 to 0.25 lb/A |
1 |
4 hr |
Make no more than 1 applic. before alternating with a fungicide with a different mode of action. Apply no more than 2.88 qt/crop/A/season. |
Bacillus spp. (Rhapsody, Serenade, Sonata) |
See label |
See label |
- |
0 |
Do not use product alone. Apply with registered fungicide. |
|
Chlorothalonil (Bravo Ultrex) 6F (M5) |
1.8 lb/A |
1.5 lb a.i./A |
0 |
12 hr |
Use in sufficient water to obtain adequate coverage. Re-apply every 7 days. Spraying mature watermelon fruit may result in sunburn of upper surface. |
|
*Cyazofamid (Ranman) 400 CS (21) |
2.75 fl oz/A |
0.071 lb/A |
0 |
0.5 |
Do not apply >6 sprays/crop. Make no more than 3 consecutive applic. followed by 3 applic. of fungicides from different resistance management groups. |
|
*Cymoxanil (Curzate) 60DF (27) |
3.2 oz/A |
1.9 oz/A |
3 |
0.5 |
Use only in combination with labeled rate of protectant fungicide. No more than 9 applic./12 months. |
|
Dimethomorph (Acrobat, Forum) 50WP (40) |
6.4 oz/A |
3.2 oz/A |
0 |
0.5 |
Apply only as a tank mix with another fungicide. Do not make >2 sequential applic. |
|
*Famoxadone + cymoxanil (Tanos) 50WP (11+27) |
8 oz/A |
4 oz/A |
3 |
0.5 |
Do not make >1 applic. before alternating with a fungicide that has a different mode of action. Must be tank mixed with contact fungicide. |
|
*Fenamidone (Reason) 500SC (11) |
5.5 fl oz/A |
0.178 lb/A |
14 |
0.5 |
Begin applications when conditions favor disease and continue on a 5- to 10-day interval. Do not apply >22 fl oz/season. Alternate with fungicide from different resistance management group, and make no more than 4 total applic. of Group 11 fungicides/season. |
|
Fixed copper (M1) |
See label |
- |
- |
- |
Repeated use may cause leaf yellowing. |
|
*Fluopicolide (Presidio) (43) |
3.0-4.0 fl oz/A |
0.09-0.125 lb a.i./A |
2 days |
12 hrs |
Max rate is 4 fl oz/A/applic. And 12 fl oz/A/season. Apply no more than 2 sequential applic. Before alternating to fungicide of a different chemistry. |
|
Fosetyl-Al (Aliette) 80WDG (33) |
2 to 5 lb/A |
1.6 to 2.4 lb/A |
0.5 |
0.5 |
Do not tank mix with coppers. Mixing with surfactants or foliar fertilizers is not recommended. |
|
*Mancozeb (M3) |
2 to 3 lb/A |
1.6 to 2.4 lb/A |
5 |
1 |
Apply no more than 24 lb/A/season |
|
*Mandipropamid (Revus) (40) |
8 oz
|
0.13 lb/a.i./A |
0 |
12 hr |
Max of 4 applic. during 1 crop cycle. Apply no more than 2 sequential applic. before alternating to a fungicide of a different chemistry. An adjuvant is recommended. Do not use in transplant production. 30 day plant back restriction, unless plant appears on label. |
|
*Maneb (Maneb) 75DF (M3) |
1.5 to 2 lb/A |
0.44 to 0.6 lb/A |
5 |
1 |
Spray at first appearance and at 7-10-day intervals. |
|
*Mefenoxam + chlorothalonil (Ridomil Gold Bravo, Fluoronil) 76.5WP (4+M5) |
2 to 3 lb/A |
1.5 lb/A |
7 |
2 |
Spray at first appearance and repeat at 14-day intervals. Apply full rate of protectant fungicide between applic. Avoid late-season applic., when plants reach maturity. |
|
Potassium phosphates (Fosphite, Fungi-Phite, Prophyt, Topaz) (33) |
See label |
See label |
0 |
See label |
Check label for required min. gal/A. Restrictions are for use following copper applic., plant and environmental conditions that restrict use, and compatibility with other materials. |
|
*Propamocarb (Previcur Flex) 6F (28) |
1.2 pt/A |
0.9 lb/A |
2 |
0.5 |
Begin applic. before infection; continue on a 7- to 14-day interval. Do not apply >6 pt/season. Always tank mix with another downy mildew product. |
|
*Pyraclostrobin (Cabrio) 20WG (11) |
8 to 12 oz/A |
1.6 to 2.4 oz/A |
0 |
0.5 |
Do not make >1 applic. before alternating to a fungicide with a different mode of action. |
|
*Pyraclostrobin + boscalid (Pristine) 38WG (11+7) |
12.5 to 18.5 oz/A |
4.8 to 7 oz/A |
0 |
12 hr |
Not for Target Spot. Use highest rate for Anthracnose. Make no more than 4 applications per season. |
|
Trifloxystrobin (Flint) 50WDG (11) |
4 oz/A |
2 oz/A |
0 |
0.5 |
Begin applic. preventatively and continue as needed alternating applic. of Ridomil Gold Bravo on a 7-10-day interval. |
|
*Mancozeb + Zoxamide (Gavel) 75DF (22+M3) |
1.5 to 2 lb/A |
1.13 to 1.5 lb/A |
5 |
2 |
Begin applic. when plants are in 2-leaf stage, and repeat at 7-10-day intervals. |
|
Phytophthora Blight |
Cyazofamid (Ranman) 400SC (21) |
2.75 fl oz/A |
0.071 lb/A |
0 |
0.5 |
Do not apply >6 sprays/crop. Make no more than 3 consecutive applic. followed by 3 applic. of fungicides from different resistance management groups. |
Dimethomorph (Acrobat, Forum) 50WP (15) |
6.4 oz |
3.2 oz |
0 |
0.5 |
Must be applied as a tank mix with another fungicide active against Phytophthora Blight. Do not make >2 sequential applic. |
|
*Fluopicolide (Presidio) (43) |
3.0-4.0 fl oz/A |
0.09-0.125 lb a.i./A |
2 days |
12 hrs |
Max rate is 4 fl oz/A/applic. And 12 fl oz/A/season. Apply no more than 2 sequential applic. Before alternating to fungicide of a different chemistry. |
|
*Mandipropamid (Revus) (40) |
8 oz |
0.13 lb/a.i./A |
0 |
12 hr |
Max of 4 applic. during 1 crop cycle. Apply no more than 2 sequential applic. before alternating to a fungicide of a different chemistry. An adjuvant is recommended. Do not use in transplant production. 30 day plant back restriction, unless plant appears on label. |
|
Potassium phosphates (Fosphite, Fungi-Phite, Prophyt, Topaz) (33) |
See label |
See label |
0 |
See label |
Check label for required min. gal/A. Restrictions are for use following copper applic., plant and environmental conditions that restrict use, and compatibility with other materials. |
|
| Powdery Mildew |
*Azoxystrobin (Amistar, Quadris, Heritage) 2.08 F (11) |
11 to 15.4 fl oz/A |
0.18 to 0.25 lb/A |
1 |
4 hr |
Make no more than 1 applic. before alternating with a fungicide with a different mode of action. Apply no more than 2.88 qt/crop/A/season. |
Chlorothalonil (Bravo Ultrex) 6F (M5) |
1.8-2.7 lb/A |
1.5-2.2 lb a.i./A |
0 |
12 hr |
Use in sufficient water to obtain adequate coverage. Re-apply every 7 days. Spraying mature watermelon fruit may result in sunburn of upper surface. |
|
Copper (M1) |
See label |
- |
- |
- |
Repeated use may cause leaf yellowing. |
|
Horticultural Oils (JMS Stylet Oil, Sporan, Neem Oil) |
See label |
See label |
- |
- |
See label for specific application techniques required. |
|
*Kresoxim methyl (Sovran) (11) |
3.2-4.8 oz |
- |
0 |
12 hr |
Follow resistance management guidelines for QoI fungicides. |
|
*Myclobutanil (Nova, Rally) 40WP (3) |
2.5 to 5 oz/A |
1 to 2 oz/A |
0 |
1 |
Apply no more than 1.5 lb/A/crop. Observe 30-day plant back interval. |
|
*Pyraclostrobin (Cabrio) 20WG (11) |
8 to 12 oz/A |
1.6 to 2.4 oz/A |
0 |
0.5 |
Do not make >1 applic. before alternating to a fungicide with a different mode of action. |
|
*Pyraclostrobin + boscalid (Pristine) 38WG (11+7) |
12.5 to 18.5 oz/A |
4.8 to 7 oz/A |
0 |
12 hr |
Not for Target Spot. Use highest rate for Anthracnose. Make no more than 4 applications per season. |
|
*Quinoxyfen (Quintec) (13) |
4-6 fl oz/A |
- |
3 days |
12 hr |
Do not make more than 4 applic./season. Rotate fungicide chemistries to avoid resistance development. |
|
*Sulfur (M2) |
See label |
- |
0 |
1 |
Do not use when temps. are over 90°F or on sulfur-sensitive varieties. |
|
Tebuconazole |
4-6 fl oz/A |
0.11-0.17 lb/A |
7 |
12 hr |
Follow label for resistance management guidelines. Limited to 24 fl oz/A/crop/season. |
|
*Thiophanate-methyl (Topsin M) 70WP (1) |
0.5 lb/A |
0.35 lb/A |
- |
0.5 |
Spray at first appearance and then at 7- to 10-day intervals. |
|
*Trifloxystrobin (Flint) 50WDG (11) |
1.5 to 2 oz/A |
0.75 to 1 oz/A |
0 |
0.5 |
Begin applic. preventatively and continue as needed on a 7-14-day interval. Do not apply >1applic. before alternating with a non-strobilurin fungicide. |
|
*Triflumizole (Procure) 50WS (3) |
4 to 8 oz |
2 to 4 oz |
0 |
0.5 |
Begin applic. at vining or first sign of disease, and repeat at 7-14-day intervals. |
|