Baytan 30 flowable fungicide applied as a cotton seed treatment has shown excellent activity against black root rot (Thielaviopsis basicola) and added protection against Rhizoctonia solani. Baytan 30 in combination with Vitavax^®-PCNB and Apron provides the farmer with superior seedling disease protection. Gustafson has applied for a Baytan 30 registration on cotton, and hopes to have label clearance for the 1991 growing season.

The seedling disease complex that attacks cotton is made up of several organisms. It expresses itself alone or in a combination of symptoms, such as seed rot, preemergence and post-emergence damping off. These symptoms may result in either a partial or total loss of stand. Species of Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Thielaviopsis and Fusarium are responsible for a major portion of these symptoms, especially when these organisms are enhanced by environmental or cultural factors. For example, spring growing conditions that are cool and wet, or seed that is too deeply planted may lead to additional losses in stand.

Research has previously shown us several important methods to help the farmer obtain some control of the disease complex. First, planting high quality seed is a must. Second, seeds must be planted to the proper depth and should not be planted before soil temperatures reach 20 C. However, cultural methods will only help suppress these diseases, so additional protection in the form of an effective seed treatment is needed.

Seed treatment chemicals can be divided into two groups: Protectants and Systemics. Protectant chemicals are active against organisms that are found on the seed or in the soil. Systemic chemicals are taken up by the young seedling and translocated into the plant system.

Although there is no single seed treatment material that is a universal preventative for all problems that attack cottonseed or seedlings, Gustafson offers a combination of products that give the seed and seedling superior disease protection. Vitavax^®-PCNB offers a combination of systemic protection and contact protection against Rhizoctonia. Apron^® offers excellent systemic protection against Pythium.

Baytan 30 is a new systemic material that offers protection against Thielaviopsis basicola and Rhizoctonia solani. Baytan is the registered trademark of Bayer AG, Germany for the active ingredient triadimenol. Baytan is in a class of chemistry known as Triazoles. Triazoles control diseases by inhibiting sterol synthesis. These compounds also can suppress initial growth, therefore, treated seeds may emerge slightly slower than untreated seeds in the absence of disease pressure. However, this effect is minor and usually disappears within two or three days after initial emergence. Baytan 30 FL is currently registered on small grains for broad spectrum disease control, and is in the final stages of EPA registration for cotton. Applied at the low rate of 0.25 to 0.75 fluid ounces per cwt. in combination with Vitavax-PCNB and Apron, Baytan 30 will give added protection against Rhizoctonia seed and seedling diseases. Applied at the rate of 1.0 to 3.0 fluid ounces per cwt., Baytan 30 will provide excellent protection against the seedling disease Thielaviopsis basicola.

Greenhouse research trials conducted in California by Dr. Jim DeVay have shown Baytan 30 to be very effective against black root rot. Greenhouse trials conducted at the Gustafson Research Lab in Frisco, Texas, have also shown Baytan to provide protection against T. basicola. Field research trials conducted in 1989 in Mississippi have shown added protection against R. solani when added to a Vitavax-PCNB and Apron combination.