Evaluation of Fungicides Applied Via Drip Irrigation for Control of Silver Scurf on Potato in Western Washington

Abstract

Silver scurf is an economically important disease on potato tubers caused by Helminthosporium solani. Two studies were established near Mount Vernon, WA at Washington State University NWREC on 20 May 2011 and 21 May 2012 in Skagit silt loam soil.  Five treatments included: penthiopyrad applied at 45 days after planting (dap), penthiopyrad applied at 60 dap, azoxystrobin (Quadris; 9 oz/acre) applied at 45 dap, and azoxystrobin applied at 60 dap, and a non-treated non-irrigated control.  This study did not control for the effect of irrigation, as azoxystrobin- and penthiopyrad-treated plots were drip-irrigated while non-treated plots were not irrigated. The results of this study are therefore limited but do suggest a reduction in silver scurf incidence and severity with no significant impact on yield of potatoes when treated fungicide applied through drip irrigation systems.