Soil Application of Benzimidazole Fungicides for the Control of Cephalosporium Stripe in the Greenhouse and Field. Timothy D. Murray, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6430. . Plant Dis. 72:1054-1058. Accepted for publication 1 August 1988. Copyright 1988 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-72-1054.

Soil drenches with Benlate at rates as low as 12.0 kg a.i./ha or “in-furrow” applications of Benlate or Mertect at rates of 3.1 kg a.i./ha were effective in reducing the incidence of Cephalosporium stripe in greenhouse-grown winter wheat. Control of disease by Topsin-M was erratic or ineffective. Disease control in greenhouse studies was correlated with in vitro sensitivity of Cephalosporium gramineum to these fungicides. In-furrow application of Benlate, Mertect, or Topsin-M in field plots was not effective in consistently reducing the incidence of Cephalosporium stripe or increasing yield, even at high rates of application. Control of Cephalosporium stripe in the field with these systemic fungicides is not sufficiently consistent to be commercially feasible.