Fungicidal drenches for control of root rot in subterranean clover

Fungicide drenches of benomyl, metalaxyl, iprodione, propamocarb, or thiram were applied to intact soil cores taken from known root rot affected fields in Western Australia, to control subterranean clover root rot. Metalaxyl was the most effective in reducing seedling damping-off. The most effective fungicide for reducing the level of rotting of both tap and lateral root systems of survixing plants varied from season to season at one site and varied between different sites in any one season with each fungicide giving a significant reduction in root disease on at least one occasion. Results suggest that different individuals or complexes of root pathogens were operative between seasons in any one site, and between sites for any one season. In some instances it appears that different individual root pathogens or pathogen complexes were operative on tap roots compared to lateral roots.