Efficacy of PostivaTM for Management of Bacterial Diseases of Ornamental Crops

Abstract

Pathogen management commonly includes environmental regulation and sanitization. There are limited numbers of effective registered bactericides. In 3 years of greenhouse trials, PostivaTM, a premix of pydiflumetofen (6.9%) and difenoconazole (11.5%), was tested for activity against xanthomonas leafspot of geranium, zinnia, ficus and bacterial wilt of geranium caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. PostivaTM applied at 0.73–1.5 L/ha significantly reduced disease incidence and/or severity on each crop tested. PostivaTM applications were similar (p = 0.05) to commercially available standards on geranium, zinnia and ficus. PostivaTM (0.73 L/ha) reduced incidence and severity of bacterial wilt similar to that observed with applications of Cease® (9.35 L/ha). PostivaTM may be beneficial in an integrated disease management program to control bacterial diseases. PostivaTM is highly promising as a rotation option to reduce the buildup of bacterial populations resistant to copper compounds and antibiotics that are frequently used in the industry.