1. Management
  2. Apply Fungicides

Use of Fungicides

Airblast sprayer and hazelnut tree

Strategies for Using Fungicides for Management of Eastern Filbert Blight

Specific Fungicides

 

Jay W. Pscheidt

Fungicides are best used to protect susceptible tissue in the spring at bud break and for the next 8 weeks. Most fungicides will last 2 weeks before another application is needed. This means a total of 4 applications starting with the first at bud break. Although hazelnuts are still susceptible after this period, additional applications have not resulted in significantly better disease control.

Due to fungicide resistance issues and resulting label requirements, you may not be able to use the same fungicide for all 4 applications. Since the EFB fungus has a long 2-year life cycle the resistance risk is already low relative to other diseases (such as powdery mildew). Strategies to minimize this risk further include alternating and/or tank mixing fungicides with different modes of action. The modes of action for fungicides have been categorized, grouped and assigned numbers such as "group M5".

Alternating fungicides with different modes of action has been effective to manage EFB. Research has not detected any one alternating strategy as better than any other strategy. We have 6 fungicide groups to choose from including groups 3, 7, 11, M5, M3 and M1. It is suggested that the first application be chorothalonil or Ziram (group M5 or M3) followed by your choice of a group 3 or 11 fungicide. Each of the next two applications would be different from the last one. An example of this program might be to start with Bravo (group M5) at bud break, followed by Flint Extra (group 11) two weeks later, then Tilt (group 3) two weeks after that and ending with Cabrio (group 11). Use of multi-site products such as chlorothalonil (M5), Ziram (M3) or copper-based (M1) products for all 4 applications would also be acceptable.

Do not just alternate fungicides with different trade names as they might have the same mode of action. Some fungicide premixes already are a combination of two fungicides with different modes of action, generally a group 3 and 11 fungicide. These products cannot be used for every application as they do not allow more than 2 sequential applications before switching to a different product with a different mode of action. If you use these premixes you must use an M5, M3 or M1 fungicide in the rotation. An example of this program might be to start with Bravo (M5) at bud break, followed by Stratego (3 + 11) or QuiltXcel (3 + 11) 2 weeks later, then the same product 2 weeks after that but ending with Bravo.

You can make your own tank mixes. Since this can be expensive growers have asked about reducing the rate of each product in the tank. Research to date has shown that a half rate of Echo 90DF tank mixed with either Tilt (group 3) or Cabrio (group 11) is effective to manage EFB. Combining fungicide resistance theory and research on EFB in Oregon suggests we should use a half rate of chlorothalonil tank mixed with a full rate of a group 3 fungicide or a half rate of a group 11 fungicide. An example of this program might be:

  • 1st Application - A full rate of Bravo (M5) at bud break.
  • 2nd Application 2 weeks later - A mix of Cabrio (11) plus Echo 90 DF (M5) each at half rates.
  • 3rd Application 2 weeks later - A mix of Tilt (3) at full rate plus Echo 90DF (M5) at half rate.
  • 4th Application 2 weeks later - A mix of Cabrio (11) plus Echo 90DF (M5) each at half rates.

Research has indicated that the addition of a surfactant will provide better disease control than using a fungicide alone. Numerous products can break the surface tension of water to get better coverage of plant tissue. They also can help keep the fungicide solution in contact with the plant, reducing wash off during rain events. Unless otherwise stated on the label, it is recommended to add a surfactant with a fungicide. Copper-based products have traditionally been applied with horticultural mineral oil. Newer fungicides may be mixed with silicone-based or non-ionic surfactants. Be careful as several fungicides may already come formulated with a surfactant and specifically say NOT to add these products. For example, do not add a surfactant to Bravo, Echo or Quadris Top.

Fungicides for Control of Eastern Filbert Blight

Many experiments have been conducted over the years to evaluate fungicide effectiveness against Eastern Filbert Blight (EFB). Dr. Ron Cameron directed several trials in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Oregon State University has also conducted a huge volume of laboratory, greenhouse and field trials since the 1990's.

Each of the tables generated for this summary list the trade name of the product tested, rate of product used per 100 gallons water, active ingredient, average number of applications per season, average level of control and total number of trials conducted. Trade names are those used during the year the product was tested. Rates are in product per 100 gallons water and are NOT expressed in product per acre. In general, an equivalent rate per acre for a mature orchard might be 2 to 4 times the per 100 gallon rate. The percent control is based on the number of cankers found per tree. For example, if a non-treated tree had 10 cankers and a fungicide treated tree had 1 canker then the fungicide applications resulted in 90% control of EFB. The number in parenthesis next to the total number of trials conducted indicates the number of significant trials. In other words, the number of trials where application of that material resulted in control significantly better than no application of fungicide at all.

Summary Tables

    Detailed Fungicide Research Reports

    Information on the relative efficacy of fungicides, fungicide schedules or cultural practices for control of plant diseases such as EFB is generated each year. This more detailed information can be found at the following web site:

    The Fruit and Ornamental Disease Management Testing Program