The effect of timing of first fungicide application on the severity of Mycosphaerella leaf spot (Mycosphaerella fragariae) on strawberry cv. IAC-Campinas was studied in field plots located in Brazlândia-DF, Brazil. The experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with six treatments (times of first fungicide delivery) and four replicates. The fungicide (prochloraz - 450 g a.i./L) was delivered at a dosage of 100 ml/100 L of water, on a 15-day schedule. The following periods for first application were tested: "Plant": at transplant stage; with a total of ten fungicide applications; "Flor1": at first flowering stage, total of eight applications; "Flor2": at second flowering, total of six applications; "Flor3": at third flowering, total of four applications; "Flor4": at fourth flowering, total of two applications; "Test": control plots, sprayed with water starting at transplant. Treatments were ranked accordingly to total fruit yield; disease severity; number of dead and healthy leaves; number of infected and healthy stems. Results indicated that treatments "Plant" and "Flor1" provided a most efficient control of the disease (Duncan, 5%), followed by treatment "Flor2". Treatments "Flor3", "Flor4" and "Test" resulted in poor disease control and were not statistically different.
Fragaria x ananassa Duch.; Mycosphaerella fragariae; chemical control
