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' :51 Glenn Ai Houck W A THESIS Submitted to the Graduate School of Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Horticulture lgho 65%,.” ‘ 17/ /¢f’0 W /%W 5:9 "‘HE. A.Study of the Effects of Copper Spray “Materials on Production, Grades, and Disease Control of Tomatoes TABLE OF CON TENTS I. Introduction 0 e e e e e e o e e e e 1. II. Review Of Literature {A 0 O o o o e 0 III. Materials and Methods . .4. . . . . . (DUIN IV. Presentation of Data . . . . . . . . V.Discussion.............36 VI. Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b0 VII. Literature Cited . . . . . . . . . . L2 VIII. ACMOWledgments e e e e e e e e e e e 2.15 tuba J; '3 «‘3 Min #4 flint A Study of the Effects of Copper Spray'Materials on Production, Grades, and Disease Control of Tomatoes Introduction The protection of tomato foliage from the attacks of leaf spots (Septoria lycopersici and Alternaria solanil by the application of sprays is becoming necessary in Michigan because of the losses which threaten the crop each year. Statistics* show that the injury done to Michigan's 9,500 acres of tomatoes by these leaf spot diseases during the years from.l928 to 1938, inclusive, with the exception of 1929, was 575,592 bushels, with an approximate value of $285,7h7. The average annual loss for this period was $28,357. The average annual loss for the last four years, 1935 to 1958,‘IBB 75,127 bushels with an approx- imate value of 368,000. This loss is a challenge to the Michigan Tanato growers. Can it be profitably checked? The most conmonly rec- ommended spray up to this time is Bordeaux mixture. Various lowe soluble copper compounds have been placed on the market and are rec- ommended by certain manufactures for the control of tomato diseases. The purpose of this investigation was to study the effects of the various copper compounds on production, grades, and disease control of tomatoes. *Michigan Crop Report for 1958 and Plant Disease Reporter, Supplements 83, 87, 89, 9h, 100, and 108. -2- Review of Literature Schneiderhan of Virginia (18) in giving the early history of the copper spray materials states that the fungicidal properties of the copper compounds were discovered by Provost in 1807. Millardet of France discovered Bordeaux mixture in 1882. One of his first formulae was as follows; 18 lbs. copper sulfate, 55 lbs. stone lime, and 5h gallons of 'water,'which was applied with a brush. In 1887 Bordeaux mixture was introduced into the United States, and the first formulae recommended were 8-10-20, 16-50-29, and later 6-2-22. Bedford and Pickering (1) discuss the soluble and insoluble copper compounds, showing the chemical reactions and their effects on the fungus diseases. Coons and Levin of Michigan (h), also Bessey (2) of the Michigan Agr. Exp. Sta. mention Septoria leaf spot of tomato as being a serious disease causing much damage in‘Michigan. Sherbakoff of Florida (19) spoke of late blight and leaf spot as being two destructive diseases and recommended a bah-50 Bordeaux mixture to be applied every ten days. Humbert (10) recommended to the growers in Ohio a hen-50 Bordeaux mixture, not as a cure for leaf spots but as a preventive. Kadow and Shropshire of Illinois (12), Strong of Michigan (25), Rolfs of Florida (17), and Ramsey and Link of the U. S. D. A. (16), all recognize Bordeaux mixture as the best control for Septoria and £17 ternaria leaf spots. In Pennsylvania, Muncie (15) obtained his best control of S327 .2253: leaf spot with Bordeaux mixture plus a fish oil soap as a sticker, but this material did not increase the yield above that of the check. -3- Wilson and Runnels (26) in their 5 years of experiments in ohio found that Bordeaux mixture decreased the yield of tomatoes to below that of the untreated plants during b.of the 5 years. These investiga- tors (2h) (25) also found that Bordeaux mixture retarded the growth of the plant and increased transpiration. Shrive and Martin (20) found that Bordeaux mixture increased transpiration as much as 29 per cent during the middle of the day. Pritchard and Ports of U. S. D. A. (15) reported a gain from Bordeaux mixture in experiments run in h.different states. Muncie and KenKnight (1h) in their Michigan trials used Bor- deaux mixture in comparison with some of the new copper compounds and found that plots sprayed with the Bordeaux mixture yielded less. Hors- fall, Magie, and Suit of NeW'York (8) found that Cuprocide 5h (85 per cent red copper oxide) was less detrimental to young plants and blossoms than Bordeaux mixture. The plants sprayed with these materials gave an increased yield. In their experiments they found that transpiration was accelerated by the use of Bordeaux mixture and that it increased blossom and rot. Edgerton's (6) work in Louisiana showed that spraying with Bordeaux mixture controlled Alternaria leaf spot of tomato very satisfactorily, but caused a delay in the ripening of the fruit. Fromme's (7) experi- ments in Virginia showed that Bordeaux.mixture-sprayed plots gave a marked increase in yield of sound ripe fruits over the check when de- foliation was serious. Horsfall and.Magie (8) found in their experiments that fruits ripen as soon on Bordeaux-sprayed plants as on unsprayed plants and believe that the injury done to the open blossoms at spraying time is the cause .h- of delayed ripening. Smith and Cochran of New York (22), showed that temperature greatly influences the germination of pollen grains and the growth of the tubes, the optimum.temperature being about 800 F. The studies made by Duggar (5) showed that the red pigments in the tomato did not develop at temperatures above 850 F. Smith of New York (21), and Jones and Rosa (11) all agree that tomato fruits will develop in light or darkness and that red color begins to develop at 500 F. and continues up to 85° F. Butler (5) found that the leaves of the plant sprayed with Bordeaux mixture cooled less rapidly, and therefore pro- longed the period of ripening. -5.- Materials and Methods Nine copper containing materials were chosen for this study. These materials were used on a basis of 25 per cent copper, with the exception of OxO-Bordeaux*. The materials chosen and the amount used per 50 gal- lons of water are as follows: 1. Basi-cop . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 lb. to 50 Gal. water 2. Bordow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . h lb. " " " " 5. Coposil . . . . . . . . . . . . . b.1b. " " " " l4.Cuprocide5li.........ll/5lb."" " u 5. Bordeaux h-2-50 . . . . . . . . h-e 1b. " " " n 6- Copper-oxychloride A . . . . . . . 2 lb. " " " " 1H7, OJCO-Bordeaux.,,.,,,,.22/31b.nn n n 8. Cheek O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0 O O O O 0 90 Bordeaux Ll,“6"50 e e e e e e o o 14.6 1b. '3 N '1 II ***100 Cupro-K eeeeeeeeeeoeeslbo" I! I! " All plots, including checks, were sprayed with calcium arsenate at the rate of 5 pounds per 100 gallons to protect the plants from the tomato'worm. Home grown John Baer plants were used in all the plots. The John Baer variety of tomato was selected because it was more susceptible to .Alternaria solani and Septoria lycopersici than some other varieties. I"Onto-Bordeaux was used according to the manufacturer's recommendation. *::8 lbs. to 50 gallons of water was used in 1959. Not used in 1959. -6- The plants were started in the greenhouse and at the age of 5 weeks were transplanted into 5%x5éxh% inch wood veneer bands. About the time the 7 first buds appeared the plants were hardened slightly and made ready for field transplanting. The soil in the field chosen for the plants was comparatively uni- form, In 1958 the field was laid off into 50 plots, making 5 plots for each.materia1 and the check, while in 1959 the field was laid off into 56 plots, making.h.plots for each.material and the check. Ample space was left between plots so there would be no drift of materials during spraying. The rows were marked off with the potato planter, which ap- plied commercial fertilizer at the rate of 500 pounds per acre or ap- proximately 5 ounces per plant. Although the plan was to spray every week until picking time, un- favorable weather interfered in some cases. The spray applications in 1958 were given on the following dates; June 15, June 2h, July 7, July 15, July 29, and.August 9. The plants were thoroughly covered with each application, using an average of about 550 gallons of spray material per acre. A.fine mist was produced by using h00 lbs. pressure with the No. h disk in the spray gun. Provisions were made to irrigate by the overhead method if it should be necessary. ‘Water was added during both years to maintain the normal growth of the plants. The fruits were harvested once each week beginning.August h.in 1958 and August 10 in 1959. Two defoliation counts were taken during the 1958 season and 5 -7- The per cent set of the first 5 blossom clusters was calculated from the clusters tagged. ‘A cluster was also tagged later in the season and the per cent set was calculated and recorded for this cluster. In order to determine the amount of injury to the open blossoms at the time of spraying, individual open blossoms were tagged immediately after the spray applications. The records of set were taken 15 days after the clusters were tagged. In 1959 2 methods of spraying were followed. The comparisons of the 2 methods of spraying were as follows; (1) spraying throughout the season, and (2) spraying after disease appeared. This comparison was made by dividing the h replications of each plot into 2 groups. The group sprayed throughout the season will be designated as the A.plots throughout this thesis and the group sprayed after disease appeared as the B plots. There were signs of Alternaria leaf spot on the B plots by July 2h, At this date they‘were sprayed for the first time. All ( A and B) plots 'were given 5 more applications, making 7 for the A.plots and h.for the B PIOtBe -8- Presentation of 1958 Data Effects on Yield The production records are given in Table I. All plots showed an increased yield above the check with the exception of Copper oxy—chloride, Bordeaux hpé-SO, Bordeaux h-2-50, and Cupro-K. The Coposil plot ranked first in yield with Basi-cop, Cuprocide, 0xo-Bordeaux, and Bordow, fol- lowing, respectively. The gain over the check for the Coposil plot was only 1.7 tons per acre. The other materials exceeding the check showed less increase per acre than Coposil. Its gain was very small and it was doubtful whether the increased yield was significant. It was interest- ing to note that the check plot produced the greatest number of ripe fruits. The b.materials that ranked next to the check in number of ripe fruits were Basi-cop, Coposil, Oxo-Bordeaux, and Cuprocide. The 5 plots which produced the least number of fruits were Cupro-K, Bordeaux use-so, and Bordeaux hr2-50. The weight of the individual fruits did not cor- respond with the number of fruits harvested. The check plot produced 2,778 ripe fruits with an average weight of h.oz. This plot exceeded all plots in the number of ripe fruits produced, but the average weight of the fruits was the least. Bordeaux L92-50 produced the least number of fruits, (1,915) but their individual weights ranked highest (5.16 02.). It is interesting to note that as the number of fruits increased, the average weight decreased. When the U. S. No.1 canning fruits were graded out and their total weights recorded the following plots ranked below the check; Copper- oxy-chloride, Bordeaux h—2-50, Bordeaux h-é-SO, and Cupro-K. m.mH .4» pm me: any: maam m.:sm mueaaso ads m.aa mm mm we: we.: ”mam m.omo useeeeem m.mH mm mm mam 00.: when m.mmo geese m.om mm a: toe mo.m momm m.mma aseeeeem-exo ovwaoanohko m.mH me mm emm seq: momm m.mme -eemmeo omummq .q.aa mm mm as: os.m mesa o.mmo assessem. m.om Nb om Hao oa.m mmmm m.mm> ovdooumso as as S we as has . sea. :35 o.mH mm m: moo Hag: mama o.ofla heesem as a 3 see 3.4 see as: sales awash awash dopeobasm oHHso wnaqnso moansso , awash cosmebhsm A oped hem no N .Qz H .02 pom . mpflsam . dovuobhdm. mace meadow eunuch ecssom voodoo .oz fiance .una Hopes «Moose oomeammsp on» no was muqsogaoo summon eseaes>_seas_eeasedm steam assess as eeseeem ones» mmma -.H eases -10- The plots which ranked above the check in pounds of U. S. No. l were Basi-cop, Cuprocide, Coposil, OXO-Bordeaux and Bordow. The U. S. No. 2 canning fruits were few. Those plots which graded low in pounds of U. S. No 2 graded high in pounds of culls. The check plot graded out the least in pounds of U. S. No. 2, but the culls ranked third highest. Bordeaux h-2-50 ranked first in pounds of U. S. No. 2, and fourth in culls, while the Bordeaux h-é—SO ranked second in both pounds of U. S. No. 2 and culls. Effect on Maturity At the end of the season the plots were picked clean. By so doing each plot received credit for the total number and pounds of fruit found on the vines at that time. These records were kept separately for the purpose of making some comparisons of late maturity. After these were completed, they were added to the previous records making the grand total number of fruits and the grand total pounds of fruit for each plot. These data are recorded in Table II. The total number of fruits gathered from the plots at cleanup time varied greatly. There were only 29 fruits gathered from the check plot, while others varied from 7h.to 1,950 fruits.' There were 5 plots which produced a large number of immature fruits. They are listed in the order of their production, Bordeaux h-2-50, Bor- dow, Copper oxychloride, Cuprocide, and Bordeaux hré-SO. These 5 plots with the exception of Cupro-K. ranked the lowest in number of fruits during the picking seasonvvhen.marketable fruits were harvested. -11- Table II - Records of the Number and Pounds of Tomatoes Harvested at the End of the Season, also the Grant Total Number and Grand Total Fruits for the Entire 1958 Season. A __ 1 $332; J :23; mass“ 62:22.2? at at Clean-up Clean-up Clean—up Clean-up Basi—cop 556 29.0 5019 775.5 Bordow 1822 159.5 huh . : 869.5 Coposil 9hh. 78.5 5586 859.0 Cuprocide 1275 ’ 120.0 3573 858.5 Bordeaux h-2-50 1950 190.0 5895 818.0 Copper-Oxychloride 1552 _ 125.0 55h0 782.5 Oxo-Bordeaux 875 70.0 5180 799.5 Check 29 2.5 2807 I 698.5 Bordeaux h—6—50 1116 92.0 5267 722.5 Cupro-K. 7h. 5.5 2189 579.0 -12- When the number of fruits gathered at cleanup time was added to the number of ripe fruits gathered at harvest time, it was found that the check ranked next to the lowest. The plot which ranked the lowest was Cupro-K. The plots ranking high were Bordow, Bordeaux h—2-50, Cuprocide and Copper-oxychloride. The Bordow plot ranked first in grand total pounds and also ranked first in Grand total number of fruits. Cupro-K and the check'which ranked lowest in grand total pounds also ranked low- est in grand total fruits. Effect on Fruit Setting The per cent of set on the first 5 clusters as well as that on one cluster later in the season is recorded in Table III. The check plot gave the highest per cent of set, with Cupro K, Cuprocide, Basi-cop, Owe-Bordeaux, and Bordeaux hr2-50 following. The greatest per cent of set on the cluster tagged July 19 was found on the Basi-cop plot. Effect on Defoliation Two counts to show defoliation from leaf spot diseases were made during the season; the first on.August 7, and the second on September 18. The percentage of defoliation for each plot is given in Table IV. The check was most heavily defoliated on.August 7. The least defoliated plot at that date was Bordeaux hr2-50, with Bordow, Bordeaus hp6-50, and Copper-oxychloride following in the order named. The plot showing least defoliation on September 18 was Bordeaux h-2-50, followed by Basi-cop, Cuprocide, Bordeaux h-6-50, and Bordow. -15- Table III - The Per cent Set on the First Three Clusters and on a Single Cluster Tagged July 19, 1958 Per cent Set on Cluster Tagged Per cent Set on First Three Clusters July 19 Basi-cop 61.5 h6.h Bordow 57.5 28.2 Copos i1 5h.2 2h.h Cuprocide 62.0 30.0 Bordeaux hr2-50 61.1 52.5 Copper-oxychloride 60.8 18.6 Oxo-Bordeaux 61.2 55.h Check 69-h. 29-3 Bordeaux h-6-50 52.8 52.3 Cupro-K 65.2 2h.7 Table IV - Per cent of Leaves Lost from Effects of Septoria and Alternaria Leaf Spots on Sprayed and Unsprayed Plots dur- ing‘l958 Per Cent of Leaves Lost August 7 September 18 Basi-cop 7h.2 90.1 Bordow 55.1 92.6 Coposil 65.0 9h.8 Cuprocide h5.9 91.2 Bordeaux hp2-50 19.5 87.h Copper-oxychloride h1.0 95.5 Oxo-Bordeaux 62.1 95.6 Check 90.0 95.1 Bordeaux h-6-50 h0.0 92.1 Cupro-K 87.5 96.5 Effect on Blossom.Set For the purpose of detecting spray injury to the open blossoms 5 open blossom clusters on each plot were tagged immediately after the spray applications on August 15 and August 29. When the count was made on.August l5, Basi-cop ranked the highest in set with the check and Cuprocide following, being equal. The plots which showed a set below the check were Cupro-K, Oxo-Bordeaux, Coposil, Bordeaux h—2-50, and Bordeaux h-6-50. Table V. Effects on Peak of Production From the picking records the peak production week was determined. It was found that all plots reached their peak of production on Aug- ust 25 with the exception of Bordeaux hr2-50 and Bordeaux h-6—50, which reached their peak of production 15 days later (September 5). The Value of Spraying Table VI shows the relative value of spraying. It may be well to state the conditions under which these yields were produced. The plants made a heavy growth early in the season. Leaf diseases made their appearance rather late and the dry weather during the last part of July was not favorable for the spread of Septoria and Alternaria. The damage from the leaf spots which came during late July did not influence the yield of the check as it did in 1959. It was stated previously that gains in yeild were shown above the check by 6 plots. These gains may not represent a profit as compared -16- Table V - The Per cent of Individually Tagged Blossoms Which Developed after being Covered.with Spray Materials on August 15 Blossoms Selling Fruit (per cent) August 15 Basi-cop 77 Bordow' -_ Coposil 22 Cuprocide hh Bordeaux h—2-50 22 Copper-oxychloride -- Oxo-Bordeaux 22 Check bh Bordeaux h-6-50 33 Cupro-K 22 -17- Table VI - The Value of Spraying as Shown by Increased Yield Over Check and Cost of Spraying Per Acre for Six Applications in 1958 a ** Increased 1 Estimated - Estimated 7 Profit or ' Yield over Value of Cost of Loss from check Increased Spraying Spraying (Tons per Yield Acre) BaSi-COP 10).]. 3322.110 $2L1012 8-1e72 BOI‘dOW e3 114.080 142e60 -57080 Coposil 1.7 27.20 57.08 -9.88 Cuprocide 1.2 e 19.20 52.62 -15.h2 Bordeaux h-2—50 —1.9 -30.1~.0 20.52 -50.92 Copper-oxychloride 1.0 16.00 2h.l2 -8.l2 Oxo-Bordeaux .9 1h.h0 h6.16 -50.76 Check - - - - - - - - Bordeaux h-6-50 -2.0 -52.00 21.96 -53.96 Cupro-K -5.h -5h.ho 36.36 -90.70 * Figured on the basis of canning tomatoes, $16.00 per ton. ** Material and labor for six applications. costs per application as taken from the commercial sprayed field was $1.85 per acre, or $11.10 for six applications. The estimated labor -18- with the check. Table VI is set up to show the increased yield over the check and its value. Three plots produced less than the check: the Cupro-K, Bordeaux h-2-50. The losses per acre which occurred from spraying these plots were as follows: Cupro-K, $90.70; Bordeaux h-6-50, $55.96; and Bor- deaux hp2-50, $50.90. The plots; Basi-cop, Coposil, Cuprocide, Copper-oxychloride, and Bordow all showed a slightly increased yield over the check. The value of these increases at the canning price of tomatoes, $16.00 per ton, did not pay for the cost of spray materials used. The Basi-cop plot with an increase over the check of l.b.tons per acre showed a money loss after the cost of the 6 spray applications was deducted. In other words, it would have been $1.72 more profitable if no spray applications had been made. All other plots also showed a loss. -19- Presentation g£_1959 Data This experhnent was continued during 1959 for the purpose of study- ing the effects of these spray materials on tomato production, grades and leaf spot control when applied (1) throughout the season, (7 appli- .cations), and (2) after leaf spot becomes apparent (h applications). The data compiled are given in Tables VII to XI. Effect on Yield The yields in tons per acre for the different materials are recorded in Table VII. The A plots were sprayed throughout the season while the spray program began on the B plots at the first appearance of blight about July 2h, and continued until the end of the season. The -following A plots (7 applications) showed an increase in yield over the B plots (h.applications)g Basi-cop, Bordow, Coposil, Cuprocide, Bor- deaux h-2-50, Copper-oxychloride, and OxoeBordeaux. The A plots show- ing a marked increase in yield over those of the B plots are Cuprocide_ 5b, with an increase of h.8 tons per acre, Bordow with 2.9 tons per acre, and Bordeaux hp2-50 with an increase of 2 tons per acre. Bordeaux h-6-50 showed no significant difference. ‘When the materials in both.A and B plots are compared with the unsprayed check we find all exceed it in yield. -20- Table VII - 1959 Yields in Tons per Acre of marketable Fruit from Plots Sprayed Throughout Season and Plots Sprayed only During Late Season tA Plots asB Plots Basi-cop 19.1 18.h Bordow 25.5 1 22.h Coposil 20.7 20.2 Cuprocide 5h 26.0 21.2 Bordeaux h-2-50 2h.6 22.6 Copper-oxychloride 22.5 21.2 Oxo-Bordeaux ‘ 21.6 20.5 Check 15.8 15.5 Bordeaux: hr6~50 22.2 7 22.5 1A Plots sprayed throughout season: June July 2h, August 5, August 18, August 50. **B Plots sprayed in late season only: August 50. July wa August 5, August 18, 18, June 27, July 9, -21- Effect on Fruit Setting Three groups of open blossoms were tagged on June 29, July 9, and August 5, immediately after the spray applications. All B plots tagged on June 29 and July 9 can be considered with the checks as no spray materials were applied to them until July 2b. In most cases the per cent of set was less on the A plots than it was on the B plots. Due to the fact that only'hO blossoms were tagged, the setting records are too variable and inconsistent to warrant drawing any con- clusions as to the influ:nce of any of the treatments on the process of fruit setting. -22- Table VIII - Effect of Spray Materials on Per Cent of Blossoms Set in 1939 June 29 Jul 9 IAugpst5 f1 #13 is ..B .A ..B Plots Plots ‘ Plots ’Plots 1 Plots ' Plots Basi-cop 35 60 55 90 32.5 25.0 Bordaw us 55 70 60 30-0 h2-5 Coposil ho h5 35 60 35.0 35.0 Cuprocide 70 6o 85 80 h2.5 32.5 Bordeaux hp2—5o 30 7o 70 80 30.0 25.0 Copper-oxyohloride Lo 65 80 65 32.5 30.0 Clo-Bordeaux L5 B5 55 70 22.5 30.0 Check 75 55 80 75 52.5 52-5 Bordeaux Leo-50 A5 70 L5 80 35.0 12.5 TA Plots sprayed throughout season: June 18, June 27, July 9, July 2h, August 5,.August 18,.August 50. I""‘B Plots sprayed in late season only: July 2b, August 5, August 18, August 50. -23- Effect of Spray Materials on Defoliation The percentage of leaves lost as a result of leaf spot infection on sprayed and unsprayed plants is given in Table IX. The defolia- tion counts were taken on the following dates; July 15, August 15, and September 15. The B plots received no sprays until after the first defoliation count was taken on July 15. Observations were made at this date and no difference could be detected between any of the A and B plots. The A plots had received 5 spray applications by July 2h.and the same per- centage of defoliation for both A and B plots is recorded for the following; Basi-cop, Copper-oxychloride, and the check. The other materials showed slight variations. One month later, on August 15, the second count was made which showed a much higher per cent of defoliation. The check plot showed 10 per cent more defoliation than any other A plot. The A.plots showing least defoliation on August 15 were Bordow, Bordeaux h92-50, Cuprocide, Copper-oxychloride, and Bordeaux h-6-50, respectively. The loss of leaves on all B plots where applications of identical materials were made was greater, at this date than on the A plots with the exception of the Basi-cop which was equal, and Coposil which showed 10 per cent less defoliation on the B plot. This one instance might not be significant but all the A plots for Coposil throughout the season show a greater defoliation than the B plots which indicates no additional protection from the early spray applications. The final defoliation count was made on September 15. The most heavily defoliated plot was the unsprayed check. In general the Table 1x - Percentage of Leaves Lost from Effects of Se toria and exAlternaria Leaf Spots on Sprayed and Unsprayed Plots at Various Dates During 1959 Juli 15 yApngust 15 Sgptember 15 *1 “B .A “B *A. ”B Plots Plots Plots -Plots Plots Plots Basi-cop 6 6 ho h0 69 67 Bordow 5 6 29 b8 60 78 Coposil 5 3 171 31 70 67 Cuprocide o 7 31 ' 3e 65 58 Bordeaux 14-2-50 5 h 29 32 h3 146 Copper-oxychloride 6 6 33 39 73 62 Onto-Bordeaux h 6 39 U4 53 53 Check 6 6 51 L7 85 83 Bordeaux h-6-50 5 7 32 38 62 51 1"APlots sprayed throughout season: June 18, June 27, July 9, July 2h, August 5, August 18, August 50. **B Plots sprayed in late season only: July 2h, August 5, August 18, August 50. -25- defoliation was somewhat greater in the B plots than in the A plots. This small difference in defoliation may be attributed to (l) the use of disease free plants, and (2) the first application of the late spray being made on the B plots before infection became well established. On September h, 11 days after the last defoliation count, the pictures shown in Figures 1 to 9 were taken on the A plots. There are 2 views of each plot, one taken close-up, about 5 feet, and the other taken at a distance of about 20 feet. By observing these pictures the 5 materials which gave best protection from leaf spots are readily dis- cerned. -26.. h ‘ (‘\ I U ' a 1.7“ \ ' ' £ . . V . » .15 . . I, r ‘ '2 l ‘ ' Hts ‘7” — ~ -\\-\\‘\— Fig. I. Sprayed with Basi-cop b.3100 \' ‘\- ~~'\‘_.»\-\-__~\\‘-V\. ‘e_ s *\‘V—‘ \-., \‘~\¥ Fig. 2. Sprayed with Bordow 163100 0.;f7 .4/ .( ,J—c""“_’./v0 qr" Fig. 5. Sprayed with Coposil 8:100 Fig. he _\‘,\\ ‘«_~—\-\\ Sprayed with Cuprocide 5h,- 2 2/53100 Z I 1 1 E E £ ) E "J’--o”—"l (ix—.0“. Fig. 50 COVIiLvufl J‘LOKIV ‘ -28- Sprayed with Bordeaux 8-h9100 F\\\'\L__ \‘\~~‘_\\\\“\_fi Fig. 7. Sprayed with axo-Bordeaux 163100 I 1 I, i 9 E ¢ 9 i 3 o 1 3 \ Fig. 8. The Unsprayed Check ‘\ ~.~. MW ~“‘w-h~- ‘~‘\flx \— th Bordeaux 8-12-100 wi Sprayed Fig. 90 -31- The Effect on Peak of Production The peak production dates as taken from the picking records were as follows: among the A.plots there are h.materials which showed a delay of 9 days in reaching their peak of production. These materials are Bordcw, Cuprocide, Bordeaux hr2-50, and Bordeaux hr6-50. In the B plots the only material delaying peak harvest was Bordeaux h96-50. Effect on Grade Table x gives yield in pounds of marketable and unmarketable fruits from the A and B plots. The 57A plots ranking highest in pounds of marketable fruit were Cuprocide, Bordow, and Bordeaux er-SO. Among the B plots the 5 materials ranking highest were Bordeaux br2-50, Bor- dow, and Bordeaux h-6-50. It is interesting to note that both Bordow and Bordeaux beZ-SO are among the 5 leading materials in both A.and B plots. The A plots having a high percentage of marketable fruits are Bordow, Cuprocide, Bordeaux h96-50, Oxo-Bordeaux, and Bordeaux h92-50. Bordow'produced next to the greatest number of pounds with the highest percentage of marketable fruit. In every case the check yielded less fruit than any other plot. -32- Table X - Total Yields per Plot of Marketable and Unmarketable Fruits from Plots Sprayed with'Various Copper materials in 1959 market- UnmarketJ Total Market- Increase able able Yield able or Fruit Fruit Fruit Decrease over Check (pounds), (pounds)%£pounds) (per cent) (pounds) *A.Plots Basi-cop 39h.5 17h.0 568.5 70 97.8 Bord“ 52307 15200 67507 78 205.0 COPOBil ’42905 20108 63103 68 16006 Cuprocide 5h. 537oh- 172-5 709-9 73 239.2 Bordeaux Li‘2'50 509.8 17205 68203 75 21106 Copper-oxychloride h66.2 16h.5 630.7 7h 160.0 Oxo-Bordeaux h52.2 171.2 625.h. 75 152.7 Check - 286.2 18h.5 h70.7 68 - - - Bordeaux hp6-50 h60.5 153.5 61h.0 75 1h3.3 **B Plots Basi-ccp 380.7 15b.0 53h.7 71 103.5 Bordow' h63.6 155.0 618.6 75 187.h Coposil h18.7 170.7 589.h. 70 158.2 Cuprocide h58.2 1h5.6 581.8 75 150.6 Bordeaux ’4‘2-50 ' 146702 15508 623.0 71.]. 19108 Copper-oxychloride ‘ h58.6 168.5 607.1 72 175.9 Oxo-Bordeaux h25.0 120.0 5h5.0 78 113.8 Check 28006 1 006 145102 65 " " - Bordeaux hp6-50 h61.6 3.5 605.1 76 173.9 *Sprayed 7 times "Sprayed 11 times -33- The Value of Spraying Table XI shows the value of both early and late applications of spray materials. This table was set up in the following way: the increased yield in tons, over the check, the estimated value of this increase at the canning price of tomatoes, (816.00 per ton), the esti- mated cost of spraying per acre, and the profit or loss as the case might be. All the figures in Table XI deal with the increased yield of tomatoes on the sprayed plots over the check, or unsprayed plots. Where there was a significant gain it was credited to the spray materials. In this table are given the results for both A and B plots. The A plots received 7 applications of spray materials and the B plots received only h. All A plots showed a gain in production over the check. Five plots showed a gain in yield over the check plot, which amounted to more than $100.00 per acre. These plots were Cuprocide, Bordeaux hr2-50, Bordow, Copper-oxychloride, and Bordeaux hr6-50. The Cuprocide plot was the outstanding one with a gain of $161.81 over the check. It is interesting to note that the gain from.the high-lime Bordeaux was $h0.08 less than that from.the lowhlime Bordeaux. Both Bordeaux mixtures gave good control of Alternaria and Septoria leaf spots, but other factors caused a lower yield. When the plots were sprayed only h.times, as they were in the B plots, there were 5 materials which showed more than $100.00 gain per acre over the check. These materials were the same 5 materials which showed the gain in the A plots. -314. Table II - Value of Spraying as Shown by Increased Yield Over Check and Cost of Spraying Per Acre * ** Increased 7 Estimated Estimated Profit 0r Yield over value of Cost of Loss from Check Increased Spraying Spraying (tons) Yield ""1 Plots Basi-oop 5.5 3 8b.80 $28.1h. 3 56.66 Bordow 11.5 1811.80 119. 70 1311.30 Coposil 6.9 110.10 113.26 67.11; Cuprocide 511 12.2 195.20 33. 39 161.81 Bordeaux h92-50 10.8 172.80 25.9h. 1&8.86 Copper-oxychloride 8.7 159.20 28.1h. 111.06 Oxo-Bordeaux 8.0 128.00 55.02 72.98 Check - - - - - - Bordeaux 14.6.50 80h. 1511.01.80 25062 108078 "”8 Plots VGBi-OOP 1409 78011.0 16008 7 62052 Bordow 8.9 112.170 28.140 1111.00 Coposil 6.7 107.20 2he72 82.h8 Cuprocide 5h. 7.7 125.20 19.08 10b112 Bordeaux 14.2.50 90]. 1145060 13068 131.92 Capper-oxychloride 7.7 125.20 16.08 107.12 Onto-Bordeaux 7.0 112.00 31.10 80.56 Check -g- - - - - Bordeaux 14-6-50 808 1140080 1110811 126061]. ** *The average canning price, 316.00 per ton. 5"Cost of materials plus labor of applying. * Seven,applications. *** *Four applications. -)3- All the plots, both.A and B, showed a net profit over the check plots. When the profits from the A and B plots were compared, it was found that some plots showed greater net profits when sprayed only h times, than plots sprayed 7 times with the same material. The plots showing outstanding net profits when sprayed only h.times were: Bor- dow, Copper-oxychloride, Bordeaux hr2-50, Cuprocide, and Bordeaux hP6-50. The plots which showed similar net profits above the check when sprayed throughout the season (7 times) were: Cuprocide, Bordow; Bordeaux hr2-50, and Copper-oxychloride. Of all plots (both A.and B), the A plot sprayed 7 times with Cuprocide gave the greatest net profit of $161.81 per acre above the check plot. -55. Discussion The Bordeaux mixture is the most commonly recommended and used material for the control of tomato leaf spots, but it has not been entirely satisfactory in every respect. The early recommendations were for the high-lime Bordeaux mixtures, but the tendency during re- cent years is toward the use of the lowelime Bordeaux mixtures. From.this study it appears advisable to use less lime than copper in the Bordeaux spray. The Bordeaux hr2-50 gave good control of Se - toria and Alternaria leaf spots and caused no c0pper injury. Experiments (27), (26), and (8) show that Bordeaux:mixtures increase transpiration which usually results in.yields below those of the unsprayed plots. In some sections of the South where the seasons are long and disease is severe, it is quite common to get an increase above the check with Bordeaux mixtures. These data for 1959 show that all Bor- deaux-sprayed plots exceeded the checks in yield. It can readily be seen how this came about when.the conditions are explained. The- greatest retarding effect of the Bordeaux is due to the lime (26), causing heavy transpiration. If the excess lime is washed off by rain the retarding effect will be less. The first application was given to the plots on June 18 and the next day .h7 inch of rain fell which re- moved some of the spray material. The evening following the spray application of June 27, .62 inch of rain.fell. The spray application of July 211 was followed the next day by .85 inch of rain. The spray materials served as a protection during the rains, as this is the time -37 when infection is spread and a portion of the spray material was re- moved, which decreased the injury that would have followed had it remained. During the early growing season of June 1959, the rainfall was 1.05 inch greater than in June, 1958. Throughout this period the plants made rapid growth and it was very difficult to keep them covered wdth spray material even.th0ugh they were sprayed once each week. Experiments (8) show that the blossom.bud development is in proportion to the dry matter in the plant. These plants had made a large growth and set much fruit before they received any injurious effects from the Bordeaux sprays. During the latter part of the season when disease was raging the plants were protected. The wet weather early in the season was ideal for the spread of leaf spots which caused much damage to the check plots and resulted in lOW'yields. Under these conditions Bordeaux mixtures gave increased yields over the check plots. The question is continually coming before the growers, "When shall we spray the tomatoes or shall we spray at all?" There has always been a doubt as to whether the increased yield of the sprayed plants over the un- sprayed plants would balance the cost of spray materials and the labor of application. When the grower is convinced that he should spray, he asks the question, ”When shall applications be made?” The data which are given in Table XI may help to answer these questiOns. The 1959 season was favorable for Septoria and Alternaria leaf spots. These diseases appeared early and spread rapidly through- out the remainder of the season. Every material used was given a true test and the results are easily read in Table XI. The check -58- was heavily defoliated early in the season which caused a low yield of poor quality fruit. This being true the protected plots, which pro- duced over a longer period of time were given an opportunity to out- yield the check. This was true in every plot, all increases being enough to be profitable. The per cent of marketable fruit from.the check plot was below that of any other plot and the quality of this marketable fruit did not equal that of the sprayed plots. From.the 1959 data 7 applications of Cuprocide would be considered the most profitable copper compound to use as a tomato spray. The lowe lime Bordeaux (hp2-50), is the preferred Bordeaux mixture and is more profitable to use as an all season spray than the hré-BO Bordeaux. It is also more profitable than other materials when used only late in the season. The safety of delayed spraying depends entirely upon the individual and the season. It is difficult to set a definite date on which to start the late spraying because disease does not make its appearance at the same time each year. The appearance of leaf spots and the severity of the attack is dependent upon the weather conditions. If the grower acquaints himself with the habits and life cycles of these diseases he may profitably dekgrhis spray program until the first appearance of blight. If the grower is not so acquainted with these diseases he may suffer heavy loss by delayed spraying. _Many of the plants imported from.the South for canning stock have been found to carry leaf spot diseases. To those who use such plants it would be disastrous to delay spraying. After discussing delayed spraying from -39- these various standpoints, it would be safe to say, that it could be recommended to those who are acquaintednwith the habits of leaf spot diseases, providing they use disease free plants. -ho- Summary The results of two years spraying test with various copper fun- gicides on tomatoes for the control of Septoria lycopersici and.Alter- naria solani are reported. darked differences in the response from the various materials are shown between the 1958 and 1959 seasons. In 1958 the leaf diseases did not appear until late in the season and none of the materials tested gave significant increases in yield over the unsprayed check plot. In 1959 infection from.Septoria lycopersici and Alternaria solani appeared early and continued throughout the season. This resulted in a heavy defoliation on the check plots before a large number of fruits could set. The unsprayed check plots produced the lowest yields for the season. All the materials used in this study checked Alternaria and Septoria leaf spot infection.. All sprayed_plots showed a gain over the unsprayed plots. Spraying not only increased the yield above the unsprayed check plots but also increased the quality. Bordeaux he6-50, he2-50, Bordow, and Cuprocide (7 applications), all reached their production peaks 9 days late. ‘With h.applications, Basi-cop, Coposil, Oxo-Bordeaux, and Bor- deaux hr2-50 showed the greatest returns above the cost of spraying. Among plots receiving 7 applications, Cuprocide, Bordow, Bordeaux he2-50, and Copper-oxychloride showed the greatest returns above the -141- cost of spraying. The greatest net gain above the check was given by the Cuprocide plot. Bordeaux br2-50 was the most profitable to use as a late season spray. It was also one of the most profitable materials to use when spraying throughout the season. Delayed spraying may be recommended to those who are well informed in leaf spot diseases and also to those who set disease free plants. (1) (2) (3) (h) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (1h) -hg- Literature Cited Beford, The Duke of, and Pickering, Spencer U. - Copper Fun- gicides -llth. report of the Woburn Exp. Fruit Farm, 10-115, 1910 Bessey, Ernest A. - Leaf Spot -Hich. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bul. 25, 1916 Butler, 0. R. - Bordeaux Mixture II Stimulatory Action, N. H. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bul 21, 1922 Coons, G. H. and Levin, Ezra - Leaf Spot Disease of Tomato - MiCho Agr. EXP. Sta. Bul. 81, 1917 Duggar, Benjamin - Lyc0persicin, the Red Pigment of the Tomato and the Effect of Conditions upon its Development. dwash. Uni. Studies I dVol. I, 22-h5. 1913-19lh Edgerton, C. W} and Mereland, C. C. - Diseases of the Tbmato in Louisiana. -La. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 1L2, 19111. Fromme, F. D. - Spraying and Dusting Tomatoes, -Va. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 250, 1922 Horsfall, J. G. and Magic, R. 0. and Suit, R. F. - Bordeaux Injury to Tbmatoes and its Effects on Ripening,’- N. Y. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bul. 251, 1958 Horsfall, J. G. - The New Attack on.Tomato Spray, -Reprint from The Canner, Jan. 7, 1939 Humbert, G. J. - Tomato Diseases in Ohio, -0hio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 521, 1918 Jones, Henry Albert and Rosa, Tooker Joseph, - Truck Crop Plants, 505-506, McGraWHHill Book Co., 1928 Kadow, K. J. and Shropshire, L. H. -Tomato Disease and Insect PGStS, “Ill. Agr. Exp. Sta. Cir., h28, 1935 Mincie, J. H. - Tomato Leaf Spot and Experiments with its Control, “Penn. Agr. EXP. Sta. Bu10 177, 1922 {uncie, J. H. and KenKnight, Glenn - Tomato Spraying Trials,- Mich. Agr. Exp. Sta. Quarterly Bul., Vol. 20.2h9, Hay 1938 (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) (2h) (25) (26) (27) -h3- Pritchard, Fred and Porto, W} S. - Control of Tomato Leaf Spot, U0 30 Do AJ Department BUIo 1288, 192M. Ramsey, Glen B. and Link, George K. - Temato Diseases, U. S. D. A. Misc. Pub. 121, 1952 Rolfs, P. H. - Tomato Diseases -Fla. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 117, 1915 Schneiderhan, F. J. - Preparation and Properties of Bordeaux Mixtures, W} Va. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 285, 1937 Sherbakoff, C. D. - Tomato Diseases in Florida, -Fla. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 1&6, 1918 Shrive, John'W. and Martin,'William, - The Effects of the Sur- face Film.of Bordeaux Mixture on the Foliar Transpiring Power of the Tomato Plant, - Plant world, 20:67, 1917 Smith, Ora, - Effects of Light on Carotenoid Formation in Tomato Fruit,-N. Y. (Cornell) Agr. Exp. Sta. Liemoir 187312, 1956 Smith, Ora and Cochran, H. L. - The Effects of Pollen Germination and Tube Growth in the Tomato, N. Y. (Cor- nell) Agr. Exp. Sta. Memoir 1753h910, 1955 Strong, M. C. - Tomato Diseases in Michigan, Mich. Agr. Exp. Sta. Cir. BUIo 139, 1939 ‘Wilson, J. D. and Runnels, H. A. - Some Detrimental Effects of Spraying Tomatoes with Bordeaux Mixtures, “Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bimonthly BUIO V01. 18, No. 135-7, 1955 Wilson, J. D. and Runnels, H. A. - The Influence of Various Copper Containing Fungicides on the Trans- piration Rate, -Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bi- monthly Bul. V01. 20, No. 172.111, 1935 Wilson, J. D. and Runnels, H. A. - Five Years of Tomato Spray- ing, -0hio Agr. Ex . Sta. Bimonthly Bul. Vol. 22, No. l8h¢l , 1937 Wilson, J. D. and Runnels, H. A. - The Effects of Various Spray Materials on Tomato Transplants, -Ohi0 Agr. Exp. Sta. Bimonthly 8111. V01. 22, N00 185: 6L. 1957 4,1,. (28) Wilson, J. D. and Runnels, H. A. - Insoluble Copper Compounds as Vegetable Sprays, -Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bimonthly Bul. Vol. 25, No. 191:6, 1958 .ACKNGWLEDGMENT I wish to express my appreciation to H. L. Seaton of the Hor- ticulture Department for his suggestions and supervision through- out this experiment, also for his advice on the organization of this manuscript.' 1 am indebted to Dr. J. H. Muncie of the Botany Department for the spray materials which he provided for use in this exper- iment, also for his advice and suggestions throughout this study. I wish to express my appreciation for his helpful suggestions on the organization of this manuscript. “FF 1 910R!) 2 R011??? 111%: GNU r—v -r w. "4 ~ . ‘ .L.' ‘ Y”)- «wmrwmm ‘ 1U . I . ~ . .’ ' - .. .‘ ‘ I _I' a n0. 'M’J, M? - ' 9* ”- 4 ~ . 1 ' ‘ ' ~ .. o ' 1 1&1: 1":“§_ 7. f. :. Nbfif’i‘t'? . "fly {1‘ )3. a l l I- , _‘ ' .yl‘l. T? . ., an . . .3 x n I _" I ’ . ' . . 1.. fi‘fi‘oq‘gs'. use .~ -« "r “ ‘ ' ‘ ‘\ Bel .' . ‘ 111'.- ~ . , >15.- . -. gm; .-.~;"’ zit-.1171; - . ‘ t? ‘ ‘ a , ‘ ’ . ' ‘ ) 1. - ‘ ‘1' ':3’ £315,517“.- ':’.“’s. r» 5,1}. ‘ .7 A -L .‘ v.) : -§‘ '-.. .. -. “-“1 3‘ f. '; ’- 7) 0‘ y ‘ ' ' . . p . t _‘ “ _ if- q: - .‘ .‘L' Ar! .IQA‘.‘ _ r ‘ V . . . . ‘. ._ '1‘?“ , W“ " Gx‘y’dj’l x,“ ) , v, . 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