Benefits of cotton seed treatments for the control of seedling diseases in relation to inoculum densities of Pythium species and Rhizoctonia solani

Twenty-five field trials conducted over a 3-year period in five San Joaquin Valley counties included the following treatments: nontreated cotton seed; seed treated with myclobutanil for the control of Rhizoctonia solani-induced damping-off; seed treated with metalaxyl for the control of Pythium-induced damping-off; and seed treated with a combination of the two fungicides. The following parameters were measured: soil populations of Pythium spp. and R. solani at planting, soil temperature at planting, air temperatures for 5 days after planting, soil particle analysis, EC, calcium, pH, organic matter, and plant stands from each treatment. In 1993 and 1994, myclobutanil and the combination of the two fungicides resulted in improved stands in 15 of 18 fields. Metalaxyl did not increase stands in any field in 1993 to 1994. In 1995, the combination of fungicides increased stands relative to the nontreated seeds and was more effective in increasing stands than myclobutanil or metalaxyl alone. Pythium populations were much greater in 1995 than in 1993 to 1994 and may explain the increase in plant stands with the combination of fungicides and metalaxyl alone. Covariate analysis of the data indicated no relationship between stand increases from fungicide seed treatment and any of the soil parameters measured. Heat units following planting were not limiting and had no effect on stands. Populations of pathogens were not related to benefits of fungicides, with the exception of a negative correlation between stand increases from seed treatment with myclobutanil and Pythium populations. Apparently, seed protected with a fungicide active against R. solani were more susceptible to infection by Pythium spp. In general, the fungicide seed treatment active against R. solani increased stands of the cultivar Maxxa regardless of soil type and pathogen populations. Increased stands from the metalaxyl treatment occurred in 1 of the 3 years of the study.