Evaluation of Early Season Foliar Fungicide Applications for Improved Plant Health

Early season fungicide applications were made to cotton to determine if there were any plant health benefits in the absence of disease pressure.  Fungicide trials were conducted in Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, and Mississippi.  The objective of these studies was to determine if there was a yield increase or economic benefit of applying a fungicide to cotton in the absence of disease pressure and to determine if differences in plant health could be measured.  Foliar fungicide applications were applied when cotton reached the 2-4 true leaf stage.  Fungicides evaluated included in these studies included Quadris and Priaxor.  At 0, 14, and 28 DAT, the following data was collected:  plant vigor, plant height, number of nodes, chlorophyll measurements, and leaf area.  Lint yield and fiber quality were determined at harvest.