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Design and Control of Sprinkler Systems for Crop Disease Research

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  052182,  2005 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.18953) @2005
Authors:   Thomas F. Scherer
Keywords:   Fusarium head blight, scab, Sclerotinia, white mold, watering system, misting system, irrigation, wheat, barley, canola, sunflower, dry bean

Fusarium head blight is a destructive fungal disease that attacks wheat and barley. Sclerotinia or white mold is a soil borne fungus that causes problems on many crops but canola, sunflower and dry edible beans are very susceptible. Yield reductions over the last 10 years in the upper Midwest due to these two fungal infections have been significant. To study the effectiveness of biological and chemical controls of these diseases, field research plots need to be watered to create a microclimate that favors their growth under controlled circumstances. Since 1999, nine misting systems were designed and installed at 4 locations in North Dakota for disease research. The misting systems have successfully created the microclimate necessary for fungal disease growth over several years with variable growing conditions. Researchers are still developing misting protocols to promote optimum microclimatic conditions for fungal growth.

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