Crop Protectants for Controlling Diseases of
Vegetable Crops in Greenhouses
Vegetable Disease Information Note 5 (VDIN-005)
Charles W Averre, Extension Plant Pathologist
S. F. Jenkins, Plant Pathologist
Paul B. Shoemaker, Extension Plant Pathologist

Information on chemical plant protectants for disease control on greenhouse vegetables must be used in the context of a "Total Disease Control Program". For example, many diseases are controlled by sanitation (no smoking, fumigating soil, using disease-free seed and seedlings, removing all dead plant parts, and washing hands and equipment before moving from one house to another), use of resistant varieties, crop rotation, seed treatment, exclusion of aphids from fall crops, and cultural practices. Always use top-quality seed or plants obtained from reliable sources. Seed are ordinarily treated by the seed producer for the control of seed decay and damping-off. However, tomato seed also should be treated with Clorox to reduce the risk of tobacco mosaic virus and certain bacterial diseases.

Most foliar diseases can be reduced or controlled by maintaining relative humidity under 90 percent, by keeping the air circulating in the house, and watering in such a manner to avoid wetting leaves.

Spraying with fungicides should be done as to ensure coverage of all plant surfaces. We recommend the use of high-pressure and high-volume equipment or subliming products (Exotherm Termil). Application should start prior to or as soon as the disease first appears and continued on a 7- to 14-day schedule as needed. Before starting the spray schedule, be sure to obtain a diagnosis of the disease in order to use the proper material. This information may be obtained through the local county Agricultural Extension Office.

CAUTION: The risk of pesticide exposure in the greenhouse is high; use protective clothing laundered daily or after each exposure; ventilate house during application and use appropriate respirator. Always use the chemical as directed on the label.

Other Links

Plant Disease Information Notes Home Page
North Carolina Insect Notes
North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual
CALS Home Page
NCCES Home Page
NCARS Home Page

Recommendations of specific chemicals are based upon information on the manufacturer's label and performance in a limited number of trials. Because environmental conditions and methods of application by growers may vary widely, performance of the chemical will not always conform to the safety and pest control standards indicated by experimental data. All recommendations for pesticide use were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by actions of state and federal regulatory agencies. 06/91/1000

Published by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University at Raleigh, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

Reformatted Dec. 2000 by Plant Disease and Insect Clinic