Effects of foliar sprays of azoxystrobin on take-all in wheat

Average percentages of winter wheat plants with severe take-all were decreased by up to half by azoxystrobin applied as foliar sprays in four field experiments. Decreased take-all in three of the experiments was associated with increased grain yield but effects on other diseases may have contributed to these responses. Standard fungicide sprays were ineffective. The effects differed, but not consistently, among different cultivars that were tested in three of the experiments. One, two or three sprays of azoxystrobin or kresoxim-methyl, in autumn, spring or summer, were tested in the fourth experiment. Unlike azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl had no consistent effects but a smaller amount was applied. Two or three sprays of azoxystrobin were more effective than a single spray but their timing was unimportant. Such control of a root disease by a foliar-applied fungicide is unusual but may help to explain some of the unexpectedly large yield responses to azoxystrobin that have been reported. This relatively broad-spectrum fungicide may have the potential to contribute to the practical management of take-all but further research is needed to determine how best to exploit its effects consistently.