Testing efficacy of fungicides against postharvest pathogens of avocado ( Persea americana cv Hass)

Abstract

Currently there are only three fungicides registered for use on avocado Two of these (copper and benomyl) are for orchard use and one (prochloraz) is for postharvest use Benomyl has now been withdrawn from sale To test whether onorchard control of rots could be improved some fungicides not currently registered for avocados were screened for inhibition of spore germination and mycelial growth in the laboratory Fungicides tested were azoxystrobin benomyl captan copper hydroxide fluazinam kresoximmethyl prochloraz pyrimethanil and trifl oxystrobin On the basis of these results azoxystrobin benomyl copper hydroxide fluazinam kresoximmethyl and prochloraz were selected for further efficacy testing on the orchard Carbendazim was also tested in the field as a replacement for benomyl Copper hydroxide gave best rot control followed by azoxystrobin and carbendazim