June 2019 - 15

MSUE VEGETABLE NOTES
done by testing fungicides individually. However,
growers need to use tank mixes and fungicides with
different modes of action in their protection program
(Table 1). In 2018, our fungicide research trial was
planted with Vlaspik cucumber seed on July 20 when
downy mildew was established in other regions of the
state. Foliar spray treatments were begun on August
10 and applied every seven days through September
22. Leaf blight was evaluated throughout the trial and
fruit were harvested multiple times.
Foliar blight was limited with several of the
fungicides that were tested. Some fungicides were
more effective against cucumber downy mildew
than others and included: Ranman, Orondis Opti,
Omega, Zampro, Elumin and Previcur Flex (Figure
2). The highest yields were seen in plots treated
with Ranman, Zampro, Elumin or Previcur Flex
(Figure 2). Ranman, Zampro and Elumin should
be tank-mixed with another more broad-spectrum
fungicide such as one including mancozeb or
chlorothalonil (Table 1). While Omega performed
well against leaf blight in our trial, this product
isn't widely used in Michigan due to its higher price
relative to other downy mildew fungicides.
The success of Previcur Flex in our 2018
Michigan field plots was surprising as this fungicide
did not work well in our plots from 2015 to 2017.
Since our 2018 results for Previcur Flex were not
consistent with our other recent trials, this fungicide
is not currently considered to be an example of
a successful fungicide for Michigan cucumber
growers. Other fungicides that were included in the
2018 trial but were not helpful in limiting downy
mildew were Tanos, Cueva, Curzate, Priaxor,
Table 1. Fungicides from a 2019 field trial that protected cucumbers from downy mildew.
*The FRAC code is an alphanumeric code assigned by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee and is based on the
mode of action of the active ingredient. Products with the same FRAC code have a similar mode of action. For best
results, use products with different FRAC codes when tank-mixing and designing an overall downy mildew program.
Revus, Forum and Presidio. Also, previous years'
trials in Michigan have shown that biological plant
protection products are quickly overwhelmed by
downy mildew on cucumber.
Keep in mind that due to regional differences
in the downy mildew pathogen, it is important to
check in with your local vegetable plant pathologist
for examples of fungicide programs that have been
shown to be effective in your growing region.
This material is based upon work that is supported
by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award
number 2016-68004-24931. Any opinions, findings,
conclusions, or recommendations expressed in
this publication are those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture.
This work was also supported by the Agricultural
Research Fund and the Pickle and Pepper Research
Committee of Pickle Packers International. VGN
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VGN | JUNE 2019 | 15

June 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2019