Effect of the new pyrazole carboxamide fungicide penthiopyrad on late leaf spot and stem rot of peanut

BACKGROUND: Management of early leaf spot (Cercospora arachidicola Hori.), late leaf spot [Cercosporidium personatum (Berk. & MA Curtis) Deighton] and stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.) of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the southeastern USA is heavily dependent upon sterol biosynthesis inhibitor (SBI) and quinone outside inhibitor (Qol) fungicides. Effective new fungicides with different modes of action could improve overall disease control and extend the utility of the current fungicides. Penthiopryad is a pyrazole carboxamide fungicide being evaluated for use on peanut. Field experiments were conducted from 2004 to 2007 to determine the effect of a range of rates (0-0.36 kg Al ha(-1)) of penthiopyrad on leaf spot and stem rot and the relative efficacy of penthiopyrad and current fungicide standards chlorothalonil, tebuconazole and azoxystrobin. RESULTS: Leaf spot control in plots treated with penthiopyrad at 0.20 kg Al ha(-1) or higher was similar to or better than that for the chlorothalonil standard. The incidence of stem rot for all penthiopyrad treatments was usually less than that for the tebuconazole or azoxystrobin standard treatments. Pod yields for all penthiopyrad treatments were similar to or higher than those for the respective standards. CONCLUSION: Penthiopyrad has excellent potential for management of late leaf spot and stem rot of peanut, and may complement current SBI and Qol fungicides. (C) 2008 Society of Chemical Industry