Field Evaluation of Topguard (Flutriafol) for Cotton Root Rot Management in Oklahoma

Flutriafol (brand name Topguard) fungicide has been recently been evaluated in Texas as a management option for control of the cotton root rot fungus (Phymatotrichopsis omnivora).  In 2013, two trials were established in cotton root rot (CRR) infested fields in southwestern Oklahoma to investigate the use of flutriafol for CRR control.  Treatments included an untreated control, two flutriafol product formulations (Topguard and CHA-1328), two rates (0.13 and 0.26 lbs active ingredient/acre), and two methods of application (t-band and modified t-band).  Four replicates of the nine treatments were included.  One site was non-irrigated, while the other was furrow irrigated.  The non-irrigated site uniformly emerged and subsequently expressed some disease incidence but later failed to produce reasonable yield due to exceptional drought conditions.  Although somewhat spatially variable, CRR infection at the furrow irrigated site was very pronounced by the end of September.  Emergence and diseased plant counts (both sites), and final yield data (irrigated site only) by plot were acquired.  Analysis of variance will be performed on the data, and conclusions provided.