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Efficacy of Biofungicide Products for Foliar Diseases in Organically-Produced Tomato
Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology
Margaret Tuttle McGrath
Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center
Objective: Several foliar diseases for fresh local organic and conventional tomato
growers includes Powdery Mildew. Foliar diseases will reduce yield when not adequately
controlled, infecting fruit, reducing production and fruit quality. Crops are abandoned
before the last harvest despite consumer demand. This project will provide some information
for organic growers are in need of biopesticides to better control foliar diseases.
Method: Seedlings were no-till transplanted on 1-July. Applications of conventional
fungicide were made weekly. Kocide® rate was increased over time from lowest to highest label
rate. Most other treatments were applied before diseases were expected to begin developing
based on crop physiology.
Results: Conditions were not ideal for tomato production in 2008. Companion® provided
control of both powdery mildew and Septoria leaf spot. Companion® was more effective for
powdery mildew Control obtained for powdery mildew with the low rate (1/2 gal / acre) was 68
to 95% based on leaflet assessments; higher values were obtained for canopy assessments.
Companion® is a registered trademark of Growth Products, Ltd., Taegro® is a registered
trademark Earth Biosciences Inc, BioLink is a registered trademark of Westbridge Agricultural
Products, Actinovate is a registered trademark of ®Natural Industries, Kocide ® is a registered
trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
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