| Fungigation
effective in controlling crop disease |
|   |
| Blight, rust and
a variety of fungus-related diseases can be a problem for growers,
especially those raising vegetables, fruits and ornamentals. |
|   |
| Fungicides are
available to effectively combat such diseases. But application -
providing complete coverage of both foliage and soil surface with
minimal damage to delicate plants - can be a challenge. |
|   |
| Chemigation has
proven to be an effective means of applying fungicide for many
growers. Peanut farmers in the southeast U.S. and vegetable
growers in the northwest and north central have utilized the technology
rather extensively. |
|   |
| And, word about
fungigation is spreading. |
|   |
| in a recent
bulletin from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service on
growing pumpkins and winter squash, a horticulturist said, "Fungigation
- application of fungicides through the irrigation system - may be the
best way to get fungicides applied without damage to foliage." |
|   |
| Harm to the
foliage can be either physical or chemical. Plants can be crushed
and torn by application equipment. They can also be injured if the
fungicide solution is too strong. |
|   |
| Fungigation
protects plants on both counts. |
|   |
| Application
through center pivot, side roll, or hand move irrigation eliminates
trips through the field with spraying equipment. And a modern
chemigation system can deliver precise amounts of fungicide to infected
plants that is strong enough to do the job but diluted enough to avoid
foliage damage. |
|   |
| With proper operation,
a fungigation system can focus application on the foliage, the soil, or
both - whichever is preferred. Faster speed with a pivot system
and shorter sets with a linear move will deposit most of the fungicide
on the plant's leaves. With slower speed and longer sets, the
majority of the chemical will be applied to the soil. |
|   |
| Fungigation is
just one more way today's fluid application technology is being put to
work. |