Alfalfa Response to Early Season Priaxor and Headline Fungicide Application.

In temperate moisture regimes can provide optimal conditions for the growth of fungus. This study was conducted to determine whether the growth and spread of fungus can be controlled in alfalfa in the temperate climate of Rexburg by the addition of fungicides.  In each trial there are two fungicides tested, Priaxor and Headline. With the addition of the control plot there are three test plots per trial and the trial was replicated six times. Each individual test plot is 3 x 12 meters.  The cultivar of alfalfa is AmeriStand 455TQ RR and it is a 2^nd year stand.  All of these tests are set in Rexburg, Idaho on a Rexburg silt loam.  Resulting from high unusually high precipitation during the month of May, there has been a surge in the fungus population. Initial results from periodic visual disease inspections indicate that the application of a fungicide has decreased the occurrence and intensity of fungus. Specifically the stemphylium leaf spot and Spring and Summer Black Stem.  Application of fungicides on alfalfa is economically and feasibly possible. Introducing fungicides into your cropping systems will improve the efficacy of these crops.