Effects of the Novel Fungicide Benzothiostrobin on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in the Laboratory and on Sclerotinia Stem Rot in Rape Fields

We determined the effects and efficacy of benzothiostrobin, a new strobilurin-derived fungicide, against the plant-pathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (the causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot). Mycelial growth and sclerotial germination in vitro were strongly inhibited by benzothiostrobin in the presence of salicylhydroxamic acid. On detached rapeseed leaves, benzothiostrobin at 40 μg/ml reduced lesion development by 87%. No cross-resistance was detected between benzothiostrobin and carbendazim, iprodione, fludioxonil, or boscalid. A formulated mixture of benzothiostrobin and fluazinam at 1:1 had synergistic activity against S. sclerotiorum in vitro. In field trials, benzothiostrobin alone or formulated with fluazinam at 1:1 (150 g a.i. ha−1) was significantly (P < 0.05) superior to iprodione in controlling Sclerotinia stem rot of rapeseed. These results suggest that benzothiostrobin has substantial potential for the control of Sclerotinia stem rot.