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Project Leaders: Arlie McFaul1, Ann Cobb2, Christy Hoepting1
and Alan Erb1
1Vegetable Specialist Cornell Cooperative Extension- Lake
Plains Vegetable Program
2Technician V, Dept. of Plant Pathology, NYSAES,
Cornell University
Cooperators:
Cornell Cooperators: Helene Dillard Dept. of Plant Pathology, NYSAES,
Cornell University
Industry Cooperators: Roger Ward of Birds Eye Foods, Bruce Sentiff
and Del Mar Farms snap bean producers in Western NY.
Abstract:
Given the right environmental conditions, white mold (Sclerotinia
sclerotiorum) can potentially infect 100 percent of the snap bean
acreage in New York State. A black seedlike structure called a sclerotia
resides in the soil as the overwintering/survival structure for Sclerotinia
sclerotiorum, the causal agent of white mold. Part of the reason
why white mold is such a problem in Western New York is because aside
from snap beans many other commercial crops are hosts for Sclerotinia
sclerotiorum, including dry beans, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes,
peppers, lettuce, vine crops, alfalfa, and soybeans. The main objective
of this study was to evaluate Contans WG as a biological tool to manage
white mold in snap beans and compare it with the industry standard Ronilan
in an on-farm situation. Trials were set up in Genesee and Orleans Counties
where growers applied Contans WG using their typical cultural practices
at planting to a portion of the field. Contans WG reduced sclerotia
populations over the course of the experiment from 0.2 to 0.0 sclerotia
per liter of soil at one location but had no effect at the other (possibly
due to Dual antagonism). Contans WG did not reduce white mold infection
on the foliage. Ronilan reduced foliar incidence of white mold by 50
and 71%. The poorer control with Ronilan may be explained by the use
of a low spray volume and poor penetration into the center of the canopy.
Contans WG may reduce sclerotia populations in soil, but should not
be used as a stand alone material for control of white mold.
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