Dracaena Diseases
Gary W. Moorman, Professor of Plant Pathology
| Disease | Symptoms | Pathogen/Cause | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLECKING Dracaena marginata | New leaves have small white to yellow spots near their tips. | Unknown | Maintain moderate temperature, moisture, and light conditions. |
| FLOURIDE TOXICITY | Long tan to dark brown areas form in the white stripes of "Warneckii" leaves. Leaf tips are yellow or dead on "Janet Craig". Tan dead areas with bright yellow borders form along the leaf margin of "Massangeana" leaves. | Excess fluoride | Maintain soil pH between 6 and 6.5. Avoid using perlite, superphosphate, and other fluoride-containing soil amendments. Do not irrigate with water containing 1 ppm fluoride. |
| FUSARIUM LEAF SPOT | Young leaves have reddish to tan spots with wide, yellow halos. Spotting occurs close to the base of the leaves. | Fusarium moniliforme | Avoid overhead watering. Apply thiophanate methyl, iprodione, chlorothalonil, mancozeb, or thiophanate methyl + mancozeb. |
| SOFT ROT | Rooted cuttings have a soft, brown rot and a foul odor. Lower leaves collapse. | Erwinia carotovora pv. carotovora, or Erwinia chrysanthemi | Purchase plants free of the disease. Discard infected plants. |
Fluoride toxicity.
Active Ingredients and Trade Names of the Chemicals
| FRAC Group No. | Risk Level | Class | Active ingredient | REI Restricted Entry Interval | Trade names (EPA Reg. no.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Benzimidazole | thiophanate methyl | 12 | 3336 (1001-69), OHP 6672 (51036-329-59807), Fungo Flo (51036-329-59807), Systec 1998 (48234-12) |
| 2 | 3 | Dicarboximide | iprodione | 12 | Chipco 26GT (100-1138), Chipco 26019 (264-481), Iprodione (51036-361), Sextant (51036-361-59807) |
| M | 1 | Chloronitrile | chlorothalonil | 48 | Daconil (50534-9), Exotherm Termil (70-223) |
| 12 | Echo (60063-7), PathGuard (60063-7-499), Concorde (72167-24-1812), Pegasus (72167-24-1812) | ||||
| Dithiocarbamate | mancozeb | 24 | Dithane (707-180), FORE (707-87), Pentathlon (1818-251) | ||
| manganese + zinc | 24 | Protect T/O (1001-65) | |||
| Combined products | 1 | ||||
| 1 + M | thiophanate methyl + mancozeb | Zyban (58185-31) |
Fungicides and Fungicide Resistance Management - Certain fungicides, usually systemic fungicides, are said to be 'at risk' to the development of resistance if they are used repeatedly. See the Risk Level in the above table (1 = low risk; 3 = high risk). The Fungicide Resistance Action Committee has developed a numbering system in which chemicals with the same FRAC Group number have the same mode of action (See http://www.frac.info/frac/index.htm ). It is recommended that chemicals at high risk be used sparingly and in rotation or mixed with chemicals with different modes of actions (different FRAC number).
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Notice: The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury or property damage.
Warning! Pesticides are poisonous. Read and follow all directions and safety precautions on labels. Handle carefully and store in original labeled containers out of the reach of children, pets, and livestock. Dispose of empty containers right away, in a safe manner and place. Do not contaminate forage, streams or ponds.
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