Bob Mulrooney, Extension Plant Pathologist; bobmul@udel.edu
Lettuce
We received a lettuce sample last week in the plant clinic from a high tunnel operation with lettuce drop. The following are the fungicide recommendations for the two lettuce diseases of importance in our area. These are best used preventatively. Spring lettuce season is beginning and growers should take precautions to help control Bottom rot (Rhizoctonia) and Lettuce drop (Sclerotinia) which may cause potential problems. For Bottom rot, apply Endura 70W (boscalid, FRAC code 7) at 8.0 to 11.0 oz 70W/A, or iprodione (FRAC code 2) at 1.5 to 2.0 lb 50WP/A or OLF should be applied one week after transplanting or thinning and 10 and 20 days later. For Lettuce drop, apply Endura (FRAC code 7) at 8.0 to 11.0 oz 70WG/A or iprodione (FRAC code 2) at 1.5 to 2.0 lb/A, or Quadris (azoxystrobin, 11) at 0.40 – 0.80 fl. oz/1000 row ft 2.08SC beginning one week after transplanting or thinning and again at 10 and 20 days later. For more information on control of Bottom rot and Lettuce drop and other important diseases of lettuce please see the 2012 Delaware Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide.
Spinach
If white rust or downy mildew are a concern on spinach, prior to symptom development, apply the following on a 7 to 10-day schedule: Quadris (azoxystrobin, 11) at 12.0 to 15.5 fl oz 2.08SC/A, or Cabrio (pyraclostrobin, 11) at 12.0 to 16.0 oz 20EG/A, or Reason (fenimadone, 11) at 5.5 to 8.2 fl oz 500SC/A, or Tanos (famoxodone +cymoxanil, 11 + 27 ) at 8.0 to 10.0 oz 50W/A. Rotate to one of the following fungicides: Ranman (cyazofamid, 21) at 2.75 fl oz 400F/A, Revus (mandipropamid, 40) at 8.0 fl oz 2.08F, or Presidio (fluopicolide, 43) at 3.0 to 4.0 fl oz 4SC/A, or Actigard (acibenzolar-S-methyl, P) at 0.50 to 0.75 oz 50WG/A, or Aliette (fosetyl Al, 33) at 3.0 lb 80WDG/A, or fixed copper (FRAC code M1) at labeled rates (Copper containing fungicides may cause some phytotoxicity), or Ridomil Gold Copper (mefenoxam + copper, 4 + M1) at 2.5 lb 65WP/A (on 14-day schedule). For more information please see the Delaware Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations.
White rust on upper leaf surface
White rust on lower leaf surface of spinach