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<OL> <LI> Examine three different air stream speeds (maximum, minimum, and median range of the sprayer), orifice angles of 30, 60, and 78 degrees down from horizontal and nozzles that produce 'large', fine, medium, and course drop sizes to achieve maximum fungicide deposition and efficacy on small grains for control of FHB.<LI>Examine the benefits of making a sequential fungicide application about 7 days after the initial application. <LI> Compare 'Tradition' to 'ND20448' barley. Tradition is a malt type barley cultivar that was planted on the greatest number of barley acres in North Dakota in the past year. 'ND20448' is an NDSU line being considered for replacement of 'Tradition'. One of 'ND20448' unique qualities is that it has been shown to accumulate 1/3 less deoxynivalenol (DON) in the seed than 'Tradition' and other 6-row type cultivars. <LI>Support research efforts by the major public hard red spring wheat programs in the upper Great Plains in developing lines that reduce the effects from FHB.<LI>Provide field evaluations of biological control agents or biologically based products for control of FHB and DON on different market classes of wheat and barley in different environments using standardized methods.
Approach: 1) The sprayer is a plot size sprayer equipped with an air-assist boom. The boom has been modified to allow adjustment of the air orifices forward from vertical to study boom configurations that may improve fungicide efficacy. The evaluation will be made with Prosaro fungicide (421 SC 3.57 lb/gal. formulation of prothioconazole/tebuconazole, 19%+19% w/w, by Bayer Crop Science). Assessments will be made by visually assessing FHB incidence and field serverity on 20 heads per plot and by determining yield, test weight, deoxynivalenol concentration, protein and barley pump. Deposition differences among the spray system configurations will be assessed by adding a dye (FD&C blue#1 at 44 grams/acre) to the spray solution, extracting the dye from the 10 spike sample with 80 ml of 90% ethyl alcohol using a wrist action shaker, and assessing deposition using a Jenway photo spectrometer. Statistical analysis of data will be by Analysis of Variance with means comparison using Fisher's protected LSD. <P>2) Fungicide treatments will include the tebuconazole and prothioconazole fungicide chemistries as single and/or sequential application timings compared to an untreated. The study will be conducted in two environments with supplemental water and inoculum applied to enhance chances of research trial success. Mean separation will be made using analysis of variance and Fischer's protected least significant difference. <P>3) Fungicide applications will be made with a tractor mounted sprayer traveling 6 mph to simulate travel speed in the lower end of the range used by growers and commercial applicators. The sprayer will be operated with recommended parameters; nozzels delivering 300-350 micron droplets form orifices oriented forward to the direction of travel and angled 30 degrees downward from horizontal. This sprayer configuration will be compared to an orifice oriented vertically, which is typical of a configuration used to spray herbicides for weed control. Prosaro fungicide, a formulation of a 50:50 blend of tebuconazole and prothioconazole, will be applies at three growth stages.<P> 4) The principle focus of the program will be to evaluate breeding material submitted for entry into the uniform regional scab nursery. Additional research material selected by the project director from breeding programs from the University of Minnesota, South Dakota State University, North Dakota State University, and possibly Montana State University that have potential to contribute to a reduction in the effects of Fusarium head blight (FHB) to stakeholders will also be evaluated.<P> 5) Tests will be conducted in four states: North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Missouri. Pathogen inoculum will be provided in the form of natural corn residue or infested corn kernels and mist irrigation will provide high moisture levels to favor disease development. Standardized methods for applying each treatment and for determining disease and DON control efficacy will be employed. Data will be complied from all test sites and collective results reported. Treatments will be selected through a meeting of project participants with biological control researchers and industry representatives.