Treating cotton seeds with fungicides reduced damping-off incidence under field conditions. Maxim and Topsin-M followed by Vitavax-T70 were the most effective fungicides on reducing damping-off incidence of cotton plants (cvs. Giza-86 and Giza-89) during growing seasons 2000 and 2001. Meanwhile, treating cotton seeds with fungicides before sowing for controlling root rot pathogens increased also plant height, number of fruiting branches, number of the opened bolls/plant, weight of yielded cotton for each boll, cotton yield (g)/plant, average yield of cotton lint (g)/plant, yield of cotton seeds (g)/plant, yield of cotton (kantar/feddan), yield of cotton lint (kantar/feddan), yield of cotton seeds (kg/feddan) and fiber length and strength of yielded cotton of both cotton cvs. (Giza-86 and Giza-89) during the two growing seasons. Generally, Vitavax-T70 and Vitavax-T40 were the best seed treatments comparing with many of the tested fungicides, i.e., Maxim, Topsin-M and Rizolex-T as well as un-treated control in this respect.
Key words: cotton crop quality, fungicides, damping-off disease, seed dressing |
