Hitting the Target: Timing Effect of Fungicide Treatments on Different Upland Cotton Varieties Grown in Georgia

Corynespora cassiicola leaf spot also known as ‘target spot’ has been identified as yield limiting disease in cotton. However, there are still many unknowns about managing this disease such as timing and variety influence. Concerns and questions from growers and cotton industry professionals about fungicide application timing, number of fungicide applications, and cotton variety differences are present. In 2012 the author’s research found a single fungicide application made during the 6^th week of bloom numerically increased yield on seven of nine varieties, three were significant. Two replicated on farm trials were conducted in 2013 to replicate and expand upon research done in 2012. A dryland trial with five varieties was treated during the 3^rd week and 5^th week of bloom. An irrigated trial with seven varieties was treated at various timings during bloom stage of cotton, 1^st and 6^th week, and just 6^th week.  All trials had an untreated check for each variety. Field counts were done pre-treatment and again two weeks after each treatment on each variety to evaluate treatments.  Final yield data and gin data will be collected to evaluate and analyze yield effects of treatments.