Abstract
Seed protectant fungicides are an important part of a total pest management program of peanut and may reduce the use of other pesticides later in the growing season. A survey of peanut shellers was conducted to determine the amount of fungicide use and the important factors used in selecting particular fungicides for treating seed in the Southwestern United States. All peanut seed planted in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico was treated with one or more fungicides and totaled 19,000 kg of five active ingredients applied on 12 million kg of seed. Captan was the leading active ingredient and made up 49% of all fungicide use. Shellers were the sole decision makers in selecting seed treatment fungicides and cited fungicide effectiveness and assurance of a good crop stand as the major factors in selecting a commercial product. Fungicide treatments made up 4% of the total cost of planting seed, for an average cost of $6.75/ha. A case study on the impact of seed treatments was conducted using 12 yr of field performance data in an economic assessment. Peanut yields were 36% higher when captan-treated compared with using untreated seed. In an economic assessment, net returns above variable costs were $331/ha higher when fungicide-treated seed was planted, compared to untreated seed. The case study showed that seed treatments provided positive economic returns in 10 out of the 12 yr and losses would result in 7 out of 12 yr if untreated seed were planted. Many of the present seed treatment fungicides will be reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and require re-registration under the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996.
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Keywords: Captan, Food Quality Protection Act, seedling disease, seed treatment fungicides
How to Cite:
Smith, D. & Black, M. & Grichar, W. & Jaks, A., (2000) “Economic Assessment and Fungicide Use on Peanut Seed in the Southwestern United States¹”, Peanut Science 27(1), p.39-39. doi: https://doi.org/10.3146/i0095-3679-27-1-9