Publication Date
1989
Description
The traditional use of fungicides in temperate forage grass seed crops has been for the control of diseases. However, in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seed crops, fungicides applied close to anthesis have increased seed yields even where the incidence· of leaf pathogens was low (Hampton and Hebblethwaithe, 1984, 1985; Hampton et al., 1985). The response was attributed to increased leaf area duration by delaying the senescence of photosynthetic tissue. In another trial in which levels of stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers) were low, fungicides also increased perennial ryegrass seed yield. The response was associated with both disease control and increased green leaf area from anthesis to before harvest (Hampton, 1986). This paper discusses recent experiments on the effects of fungicides on seed yields, green leaf area and diseases in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kun th syn. B. catharticus Vahl.), to determine if the responses reported in perennial ryegrass also occur in other temperate species.
Citation
Rolston, M P.; Hampton, J G.; Hare, M D.; and Falloon, R E., "Fungicide Effect on Temperate Forage Grasses" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 21.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session5/21
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Fungicide Effect on Temperate Forage Grasses
The traditional use of fungicides in temperate forage grass seed crops has been for the control of diseases. However, in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seed crops, fungicides applied close to anthesis have increased seed yields even where the incidence· of leaf pathogens was low (Hampton and Hebblethwaithe, 1984, 1985; Hampton et al., 1985). The response was attributed to increased leaf area duration by delaying the senescence of photosynthetic tissue. In another trial in which levels of stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers) were low, fungicides also increased perennial ryegrass seed yield. The response was associated with both disease control and increased green leaf area from anthesis to before harvest (Hampton, 1986). This paper discusses recent experiments on the effects of fungicides on seed yields, green leaf area and diseases in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kun th syn. B. catharticus Vahl.), to determine if the responses reported in perennial ryegrass also occur in other temperate species.
