Evaluation of Seed Treatment Products for Cotton Seedling Disease Management in Safford, Arizona, 2024

Cotton seedling diseases caused by soilborne fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Thielaviopsis basicola, and Macrophomina phaseolina) can compromise cotton seedling survival and yield potential, particularly when environmental conditions favor fungal proliferation over rapid plant development. Typical symptoms include seed rot, damping-off, soreshin, black root discoloration, root rot, and stunting. This study evaluated the effectiveness of fungicide seed treatments for increasing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) stand and yield. The trial was conducted in 2024 at the Safford Agricultural Center, Safford, AZ. The results from this trial will enable growers to select high-efficacy fungicide treatments to safeguard seedling vigor and maximize yield potential across diverse environmental stresses.