ABSTRACT

In field trials since 2000, the use of in-furrow fungicides to manage seedling diseases of cotton in Georgia have resulted in improved plant stands from plots where the fungicides were not included. However, significant increases in yield were not associated with the improved stands. In 2002, three field trials were conducted at separate locations across Georgia. The objective was to determine if yields obtained when commercial seed (DP 458 B/RR) was planted at a rate of 4 seed/ft could be maintained when seed was planted at a reduced rate, 2 seed/ft, with an in-furrow fungicide such as Terraclor 15G or Terraclor Super X 18.8G, or a hopper box treatment such as Prevail. Where incidence of sore shin, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, was low, yields were not significantly different between either seeding rate, despite the use of additional fungicides at planting. When seedling disease was severe, the use of Terraclor Super X 18.8G improved stand, but yields were significantly lower than yields from plots planted at 4 seed/ft without an additional fungicide. This difference in yield between treatments were biased to some degree by poor weed control in the Terraclor Super X plots.