Fungicides are used in corn for a number of reasons. First and foremost, they can prevent or mitigate disease. How a fungicide works will depend on its mode of action. In addition to controlling disease, fungicides also work to increase water use efficiency in the plant, photosynthesis, nitrate reductase activity, timing for ear fill, and stress tolerance. One way to increase this stress tolerance is through the mitigation of ethylene production.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SPRAY?

In addition to determining the disease you want to control, a few other considerations come into play with a fungicide. What is the ideal timing to gain yield from a fungicide application? In the past, we have observed a greater ROI from the use of fungicides later in the season rather than early in the season. This late-season application has also showed a greater return when compared to making two applications.

FUNGICIDE APPLICATION TIMING

In 2017, Beck’s PFR began working to further identify the ideal timing for fungicide applications in corn. Data from 2017 indicates that minimal differences could be observed, regardless of spraying at the VT, R1, R2, or R3 growth stages. However, some sites did see an advantage to a fungicide application at the earliest stage of tasseling, or VT.

Fungicide applications appear to be more effective when applied in the morning. A dew may help spread the fungicide over the surface of the leaf.

TIMELY FUNGICIDE APPLICATIONS PAY DUE TO THE PLANT HEALTH BENEFITS IT PROVIDES.

How Much Carrier?

Even things as small as using the correct carrier rate can greatly impact your bottom line. When controlling diseases with a fungicide application, it’s important to note that the top half of the canopy is most concerning, particularly the ear leaf. It’s responsible for over 75 percent of the carbohydrates during grain fill, so increasing leaf coverage when applying fungicide is a vital part of disease control.

A higher carrier volume can provide better coverage of the fungicide, which protects more leaf area from disease and premature senescence. This may have played a role in the yield responses by limiting disease progression and maximizing the remobilization of stored nutrients from leaves into grain.

Through their studies, Beck’s PFR team has found that 15 to 20 gallons of carrier rate is the sweet spot, but even lower carrier volumes provide improved plant health late-season compared to untreated checks. Proper carrier rates can be key to keeping corn plants alive longer, allowing them to continue grain fill and ultimately, increase your yields.

When making the decision to use a fungicide on your operation, always use best management practices and proven integrated pest management strategies. Always read and follow label directions.

Innovation has always been at the heart of farming. Dreaming, inventing, and experimenting with new tools, equipment, and products is what allows farmers to continue improving their operations. Beck’s family of employees thrives on innovation too, which is why they developed the Practical Farm Research (PFR)® program. Today, Beck’s provides a truly comprehensive, innovative, and practical agronomic research program that helps farmers with decisions that can improve profitability. By evaluating hundreds of new management practices and inputs, we deliver unbiased agronomic data to help farmers make better decisions and increase profitability.

Beck’s is the largest family-owned retail seed company in the United States that serves farmers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. According to a recent seed industry survey, Beck’s ranks as the third largest corn and soybean brand in the United States. At their core, all Beck’s employees are Farmers at Heart. It stands for something special. It has soul. It has truth. And it represents a community of farmers, employees, and dealers who strive each day to seek challenges, push boundaries and innovate. Beck’s has, and always will be, proud to serve a community of farmers who love what they do and who are proud to be… Farmers at Heart. For more agronomic new and information, visit Beck’s Agronomy Talk page or blog at BecksHybrids.com.