Determination Effects of Sulfur Applications on Some Fungal Diseases of Potato Tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to determine the antifungal effects of elemental sulfur applications on Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani in potatoes in 2011-2012. Elemental sulfur was applied in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kg S/da doses with 3 different methods (seed tuber, soil (seed bed) and potato leaf). For both infections, seed tuber and soil applications showed higher antifungal effects than foliar applications. The effects of the application methods were different depending on the doses, and 6 kg/da and above S in seed tuber applications, 10 kg/da S in soil applications, and 6-8 kg/da S doses in foliar applications showed a higher antifungal effect. Infected tuber ratio and the infection severity with R. solani decreased to 18.8% and 6.0%, respectively with 10 kg/da S soil applications. The mean infection severity and infected tuber rate with F. solani decreased to 6.8% and 6.0%, respectively, with 8 kg/da S seed tuber applications. Sulfur applications showed high antifungal effect on both fungal pathogens, and this effect was higher on R. solani. With sulfur applications, a significant resistance can be created against R. solani and F. Solani infections, which have high economic damage in the potato plant. It was concluded that the application of sulfur to the soil or seed tuber was much more effective than the foliar application and 6-8 kg/da S applications may be sufficient to control of fungal diseases.