Influence of Selected Fungicides on in vitro Growth of Artillery Fungi (Sphaerobolus spp.)

We tested the inhibitory effect of 14 fungicides, 13 of which were known to be effective against the basidiomycete Agaricus, at 5 and 20 ppm on the in vitro growth of three species of artillery fungi: Sphaerobolus iowensis, S. stellatus, and a previously undescribed Sphaerobolus sp. Captafol, epoxiconazole, thiophanate-methyl, triflumizole, and triphenyltin acetate were the most effective inhibitors against all three Sphaerobolus species, and the reduction in growth was directly related to fungicide concentration. Chloroneb, chlorothalonil/zinc oxide, fuberidazole, glyodin, and tolylfluanid showed varying results, depending on fungal species and fungicide concentration; however, they were much less effective than the previous five fungicides. Dazomet, dinocap, folpet, and ferbam failed to slow the growth of any artillery fungi at either concentration. This preliminary study revealed that certain fungicides suppress growth of artillery fungi and should be further tested in the field.