Translocation of Fungicides in Soybean Plants Associated with the Copper Systemic Chemical Complex

Abstract

Soybean is a crop with a high leaf area index, which harm the cover effect of agrochemical sprays. Improvements in the penetration and translocation of active ingredients in plants can optimize the efficacy of systemic fungicides. The Asian soybean rust is a polycyclic disease whose infection begins in the lower leaves of the plants, where fungicides have difficulties to work. The objective of this study was to investigate the translocation of seven fungicidal active ingredients associated with the copper systemic chemical complex. This product combined with different agrochemicals optimizes this physiological process by plants under field conditions. The translocation of the active ingredients sprayed on the upper part of the plants, to the lower parts protected from the applications was measured. Two trials were conducted in randomized block design with three fungicides and four replications, in a double factorial scheme. Soybean plants were grown in a greenhouse, performing a single spray of the treatments, with subsequent detection of the compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography. In all treatments were compared, the association and non-association with copper complex and fungicides. As results, combinations with copper systemic chemical complex improved the translocation of sprayed parts to those protected from the sprays of five active ingredients: prothioconazole-desthio, trifloxystrobin, picoxystrobin, tebuconazole and pyraclostrobin. Copper complex did not improve only the translocation of bixafen and fluxapyroxad.