Control of grapevine powdery mildew with mineral oil: an assessment of oil concentration and spray volume

DC Tron, a highly refined mineral oil containing patented additives to prevent UV light induced breakdown, was evaluated in vineyards for control of powdery mildew. DC Tron suppressed development of powdery mildew but was not as effective as the conventional fungicide Topas. Of the oil treatments the 1% rate applied in spray volumes of 1000 L/ha was the most efficient. Poor control was achieved with oil rates less than 1% as well as spray volumes less than 1000 L/ha whereas phytotoxicity developed in many cases at concentrations greater than 1% or spray volumes higher than 1000 L/ha. In all oil treatments, powdery mildew developed less in leaves than on bunches. This difference was attributed to poor spray coverage on bunches compared to leaves.