Pest Management: Pageant Fungicide For Ornamentals

A. R. Chase

In 2008, ornamental producers were first introduced to a new pre-mix fungicide called Pageant, from BASF Corporation. This is a combination of the active ingredient in Insignia (pyraclostrobin) and boscalid (not currently labeled for any ornamental use). Pageant is a 38% WG active with a 2-to-1 ratio of boscalid to pyraclostrobin.

The use rates for Pageant are 6 to 12 oz./100 gal. for powdery mildew and rust and 12 to 18 oz./100 gal. for many other leaf spot diseases.

Use sites for Pageant include ornamentals and flower bulbs grown in outdoor nurseries, retail, residential and commercial landscapes, greenhouses, shadehouses and interiorscapes. The product can be applied by tractor, backpack sprayer and hand wand, and through sprinkler and drip irrigation systems. (And although it doesn’t apply to you greenhouse growers, it’s also legal to apply through fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.)

Pyraclostrobin (Insignia—group 11) has been shown to be very effective against Alternaria, Cercospora, Cylindrocladium, downy mildew, Fusarium, Myrothecium, Phytophthora, powdery mildew, Rhizoctonia and Sclerotinia.

Boscalid (group 7) is labeled for certain vegetables and grapes and reported to be effective against Alternaria, Ascochyta (a form of anthracnose), Botrytis, Cercospora, powdery mildew, Rhizoctonia, rust and Sclerotinia.
Together, these two active ingredients combine to greatly broaden the spectrum of activity while giving excellent resistance management strategies for Alternaria, Botrytis, powdery mildew, rust and Sclerotinia.

At Chase Research Gardens, we’ve been working with Pageant since 2005 and have found no instances of phytotoxicity. We’ve also seen little visible residue to be of concern with Pageant at any rate tested. It’s important, however, to note that the label prohibits use on winter creeper Euonymus, ninebark and certain types of grapes. Be sure to read the label before testing Pageant in your greenhouse or nursery.

The table at left (see the print issue of the November 2008 GrowerTalks) lists many of the trials we’ve performed with Pageant over the past four years. Our trials have indicated especially good efficacy against Alternaria leaf spot; anthracnose diseases caused by both Colletotrichum and Phyllosticta; Cylindrocladium cutting and root rot; Myrothecium petiole rot; powdery mildew and Rhizoctonia cutting rot.

A.R. Chase is president and pathologist of Chase Horticultural Research, Mt. Aukum, California.