Evaluation of fluopyram for disease and root knot nematode control along with yield response on peanut

Efficacy of in-furrow application of fluopyram + imidacloprid alone or followed by fluopyram + prothioconazole at-pegging and aldicarb for managing peanut root-knot nematode populations, root and pod galling due to nematodes, and yield, along with non-target effects on leaf spot diseases and stem rot were compared on the root-knot susceptible cultivar Georgia-06G over seven years on an irrigated site with an established population of Meloidogyne arenaria race 1. In all years, fungicides were applied to all plots following a Peanut Rx application schedule. Root-knot nematode populations, nematode damage, and yield along with leaf spot severity and stem rot incidence significantly differed among years; except for nematode populations, these measured variables also differed by nematicide treatment. Averaged over years, galling and root damage was significantly reduced with aldicarb compared to the no-nematicide control but not with either of the fluopyram treatments. While similar late-season root-knot nematode populations were noted for all nematicide programs and the non-treated control, pooled over years, significant yield gains were obtained with aldicarb and fluopyram programs with the two-treatment program providing greater yields than the aldicarb treatment. Leaf spot severity, averaged over years, was similar in aldicarb and control treatments; however, both fluopyram treatments had significantly lower leaf spot severity than the aldicarb treatment. Stem rot incidence did not differ among nematicide treatments. In addition, pooled over years, there was a negative relationship between juvenile populations and yield, but this was relatively weak. Weather, particularly extreme rain conditions, impacted yield directly as well as indirectly by affecting leaf spot severity and nematode activity.