Studies Show Supplemental Applications of Lorsban® 15G Insecticide
Reduce White Mold, Increase Yields in Peanuts

Indianapolis, IN - March 01, 2004

Peanut growers have known for years that Lorsban® 15G insecticide controls soil borne insect infestations and helps prevent development of white mold. But, with the introduction and adoption of new fungicides into the peanut market, growers' memories may have grown short about the fungicidal benefits provided by Lorsban 15G.

Three new studies conducted by the University of Georgia and Clemson University during 2003 demonstrated that a supplemental application of Lorsban 15G to a standard fungicide program not only reduces the incidence of white mold in peanuts, but also provides an impressive increase in yield.

White mold is a soil borne fungus that is present in the soil. According to Dr. Tim Brenneman, pathologist with the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, it's present in some level in nearly every field in the Southeast, with high levels of pressure present over the past few years.

He estimates that 75 percent of peanut acres receive some level of treatment for white mold.

Brenneman's study reviewed current peanut fungicide programs featuring Folicur and Abound at both full rates and reduced rates under high white mold pressure. In similar plots, he also added a 13-pound per acre of Lorsban 15G insecticide to all treatments 40 days after planting. In each comparison, the incidence of white mold was substantially reduced in the plots treated with Lorsban 15G. Average yields also increased by 675 pounds in the Folicur plots and 650 pounds in the Abound studies.

A second study, conducted by Dr. Bob Kemerait, a pathologist also with the Coastal Plain Experiment Station, showed similar results. The addition of Lorsban® 15G to an Echo-Folicur treatment showed a significant reduction in white mold and a yield increase of over 904 pounds.

Without the quota program, peanut growers are paying attention to costs more than ever. But that focus is a double-edged sword, because they also need to maintain quality. It's one reason why many growers have shown interest in using reduced rates of fungicides to help reduce overall production costs without sacrificing yield.

Dr. Jay Chapin, entomologist at Clemson University's Edisto Research & Education Center, says that may be possible, based on the results of his study.

"This was actually an insecticide study," notes Chapin, "but we've looked at Lorsban 15G interaction in fungicide programs for at least 15 years. In areas of heavy white mold infestation, 15G is active against it and does provide additional suppression."

Chapin's study compared an Abound-Folicur treatment program, with 13.3 pounds of Lorsban 15G per acre applied 61 days after planting, to a similar program without Lorsban 15G. The addition of Lorsban 15G reduced the incidence of white mold from 14 percent to 2.3 percent and increased yield by over 300 pounds.

"Before we had Folicur and Abound, we used to recommend Lorsban 15G across every acre of peanuts, no questions asked, because Lorsban was the most effective white mold control we had, and it was very profitable for growers," says Chapin. "With the introduction of newer fungicides, it reduced, but didn't always eliminate, the profitability for 15G.

"Where we have unsatisfactory performance against white mold, we recommend shifting to alternative fungicides such as Moncut or Artisan," he adds. "Lorsban® 15G is another alternative for improving white mold control, particularly where soil insect control is an issue. Most of our green peanut growers use Lorsban 15G in addition to foliar fungicide."

 

Always read and follow label directions.

For Editorial Information:

Amanda Powell
Bader Rutter & Associates
(770) 356-1480
apowell@bader-rutter.com