Spray droplet spectrum and control of Asian soybean rust in cultivars with different plant architecture

The objective of this work was to determine the ideal spray droplet spectrum for the control of Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), in cultivars with different plant architecture. The experiment was carried out in the 2009/2010 crop season. Fungicide application (pyraclostrobin + epoxyconazole, with mineral oil) was evaluated with four spray droplet spectra - very fine, <119 mu m; fine, 119 to 216 mu m; medium, 217 to 352 mu m; and coarse, 353 to 464 mu m - in four soybean cultivars (BMX Apollo RR, NA 7636 RR, Fcep 53 RR, and TMG 4001 RR) contrasting as to leaf area index, plant height, and number of branches per plant. The following variables were quantified: number of drops per cm(2), median volume diameter of droplets, area under the progress curve of soybean rust, and soybean yield. The definition of the droplet spectrum to be used should consider cultivar and environmental conditions in which the pulverization will be done. The protection magnitude exerted by the fungicide varies according to the plant coverage and the penetration of droplets into the canopy provided by the different droplet spectra. The fine droplet spectrum provides good droplet deposition, disease control, and productivity, regardless of the evaluated cultivar.