Disease development and senescence of the flag leaf of winter wheat in response to propiconazole

Abstract

Fungicide applications to wheat have been reported to maintain the green area of the leaves (Dickinson & Walpole, 1975; Stevens & Palmer, 1980). It is not known, however, whether the photosynthetic rate of the leaves is also maintained. It was therefore decided to investigate disease development, green leaf area and photosynthesis of the flag leaf of winter wheat in response to the fungicide propiconazole, which has not previously been reported to influence senescence in the field.