Integrating host resistance with planting date and fungicide seed treatment to manage Fusarium wilt and so increase lentil yields

Field experiments were conducted in Northern Syria during the 1996/97 and 1997/98 cropping seasons to determine the effect of different control options on wilt disease parameters and lentil yields. The control options were sowing dates, host plant resistance and fungicide seed treatment. The disease parameters were: wilt onset, duration, per cent terminal wilt and areas under the disease progress curve. The experiments were carried out in a field infested with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis. Lentil genotype had a greater effect on the onset and duration of Fusarium wilt than planting date or fungicide seed treatment in both seasons. Per cent terminal wilt and areas under the disease progress curve were lowest during November plantings for all genotypes. Straw yields were correspondingly high for November plantings in both seasons. The correlation between per cent terminal wilt and area under the disease - progress curve with yield parameters was negative and significant. Since November planting reduced Fusarium wilt and increased straw and seed yields for the genotypes in this study, this practice should be adopted for lentil wilt management in Northern Syria. Fungicide seed treatment had no effect on disease onset, duration or on area under the disease - progress curve and may not be a useful component in the integrated management of the disease.