Multicomponent Preplanting Dips for Easter Lily Bulbs. J. G. Bald, Professor Emeritus, Plant Pathology Department, University of California, Riverside 92521. J. V. Lenz, Farm Advisor, A. O. Paulus, Extension Plant Pathologist, and J. L. Bricker, Staff Research Associate, Plant Pathology Department, University of California, Riverside 92521. Plant Dis. 66:399-401. Accepted for publication 14 August 1981. Copyright 1982 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-399.

Yellow discoloration of Easter lily bulbs is caused by surface invasion of the outer bulb scales by mild strains of Fusarium oxysporum, and basal rot is a destructive disease caused by severe strains of the same organism. These and other Fusarium symptoms were checked by a preplanting dip containing PCNB and ferbam. In field trials with Easter lily cultivar Ace, the two materials were found to be more effective in combination than either one was alone. Adding thymol to the dip as a bactericide helped control stem lesions, which were attributed to the combined action of F. oxysporum and Pseudomonas gladioli, and improved root condition. Benomyl was tested as an additional or alternative fungicide; as a substitute for ferbam, benomyl needs further testing.

Keyword(s):