The action of fungicides at different phases of the infectious process of late blight (Phy tophthora infestans) and early blight (Alternaria solani) of potatoes was studied under greenhouse and laboratory conditions. Protective and residual action was evaluated through inoculations undertaken with the respective pathogens 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days after application. To evaluate the curative action against late blight, fungicides were applied 1, 12, 24 and 48 hours after inoculation, and against early blight 1, 24, and 48 hours after inoculation. Protective, residual and curative actions were evaluated according to the percentage of the foliar area affected, while the antisporulating action was assessed through sporangia and conidia counting. All the fungicides, regardless of their mode of action, provided high protection against late and early blight. Systemic fungicides showed a reduction of control starting at 12 days after application, while translaminar and mesostemic fungicides showed this reduction starting at 9 days after application. In regard to curative and antisporulating actions, systemic fungicides applied until 24 hours after inoculation were especially outstanding. Translaminar and mesostemic fungicides could inhibit late blight when applied until 12 hours after inoculation. Contact fungicides stood out in preventive action only.
Solanum tuberosum; Phytophthora infestans; Alternaria solani; chemical control