ASHS 2024 Conference

Demethylation inhibiting (DMI) fungicides are frequently applied to turfgrasses for suppression of many common fungal diseases in turfgrass. However, certain DMI fungicides cause phytotoxic effects to turfgrasses, particularly creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.), during the heat of the summer. A study was conducted in Fayetteville, AR in the summer of 2023 to determine the effects of nine DMI fungicides (flutriafol, mefentrifluconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, propiconazole, prothioconazole, tebuconazole, triadimefon, and triticonazole) compared to a nontreated control on a ‘Pure Eclipse’ creeping bentgrass putting green. All treatments were applied a total of six times at the highest labeled rate at biweekly intervals beginning on 23 Jun 2023 and ending on 1 Sep 2023. A CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer was used to deliver the treatments in a carrier volume of 814 L ha-1. Plots were assessed weekly for percent phytotoxicity (0-100%). Additionally, beginning on 27 Jul 2023, clippings were collected, dried, and weighed weekly until 24 Aug 2023. Data were averaged across all rating dates, subjected to analysis of variance, and means were separated using a Student’s t-test (p < 0.05). Propiconazole caused ≥ 36.7% more phytotoxicity than any other treatment. The only other fungicide treatments that caused greater phytotoxicity than the nontreated control were myclobutanil and triadimefon. Myclobutanil, propiconazole, and triadimefon were also the only treatments to increase clipping weights compared to the nontreated control. These data suggest that many DMI fungicides do not cause phytotoxic effects on creeping bentgrass putting greens during the summer with the exception of myclobutanil, propiconazole, and triadimefon.