Co-Authors:
Shtienberg, D., Department of Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Abstract:
The effect of variables associated with the intensity of Alternaria leaf spot (caused by Alternaria macrospora) in Pima cotton (Gossypium barbadense) was investigated over three years in two growing regions in Israel. Alternaria leaf spot intensity was recorded at the initiation of flowering and at advanced stages of boll development. Variables characterizing the field and its surroundings (seven variables), the crop (seven variables), and plant protection actons (five variables) were recorded. The data were analyzed with a general linear model (GLM), and the relative contribution of each variable to disease incidence or diseaseinduced defoliation was determined. The first GLM explained 72% of the variance in desease incidence at the initiation of flowering (P ≤ 0.0001). Of the variables examined, only four significantly contributed (4.4% of the explained variance, 3.2% of the total variance), the growing season (6.1 and 4.4%), the farm (42.4 and 30.5%), and the interaction between farm and soil type (47.1 and 33.9%). The second GLM explained 62% of the variance of disease-induced defoliation at advanced stages of boll development (P ≤ 0.0001). Of the variables examined, only foru had a significant effect: desease incidence at flowering (9.9 and 6.2%), type of irrigation system (10.1 and 6.3%), region (37.4 and 23.2%), and farm (42.6 and 26.4%).