Chemical and biological managment of white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) disease in irrigated common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivation

The aim of this work was to study the effect of fungicides and biological agents on the control of white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) in common beans (cv. Perola). Nine treatments were applied in six blocks (54 experimental units) using a randomized block design (RBD). The treatments were: T1 (control); T2, Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 (4 L / ha); T3, B. subtilis strain QST 713 (4L / ha); T4, B. subtilis strain QST 713 (2 L / h); T5, B. subtilis strain  QST 713 trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole (4 L / ha, 0.5 L / ha); T6, B. subtilis strain QST 713 trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole (2 L / ha, 0.5 L / ha); T7, B. subtilis strain QST 713 trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole, fluazinam (2 L / ha, 0.5 L / ha, 1 L / ha); T8-trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole, fluazinam (0.5 L / ha, 1L / ha); T9- Trichoderma harzianum, difenoconazole and azoxystrobin fluazinam + (1.5 L / ha, 0.5 L / ha, 1 L / ha).  White mold (WM) incidence was evaluated at 39 days after planting (DAP), with subsequent evaluations at 39, 46, 53, 60, 67 and 74 DAP. Average yield from T5, T6, T7 and T8 was statistically higher than in the other treatments and consequently, treatments T7, T8 and T9 had the lowest mean area under disease progress curve values.  The combined chemical and biological treatment was an effective white mold management strategy that increased yield and decreased disease incidence in common beans. Key words: Active ingredient, white mold, Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma harzianum, triflloxystrobin, prothioconazole.