BASF shared early results from its continued evaluation of application technology as low as 1 gallon per acre for Headline fungicide with attendees at the recent National Agricultural Aviation Association’s national conference.

Jim Gaffney, agricultural aviation market manager for BASF and Amber Shirely and Nick Fassler, technical marketing managers with BASF, presented the early research results, which showed that Headline applied using as low as 1 gallon per acre provided yield and performance that was equal to that gained by using 2 gallons per acre.

The authors emphasized that Headline applications in less than 2 gallons per acre water volume is not an EPA-registered use, and such volumes should not be used for any crop.

In the tests, Headline applications were applied to corn, soybeans and wheat. Evaluations of droplet size and distribution, coverage, disease control and grain yield of the tested crops were conducted.

“More studies will be required to determine the best application methodology for Headline, but we’re very encouraged with the results we’ve seen so far,” Gaffney said. A submission for this use also will be made to the EPA.

Small-scale testing studies were conducted across the United States comparing various application technologies to determine the effectiveness of Headline in carrier volumes as low as 1 gallon per acre. Previously, BASF introduced 2-gallons-per-acre carrier volume for Headline, which reduced the required volume at that time from 5 gallons per acre.

“As the demand for aerial application services has risen, so has the need for greater application efficiency,” Gaffney said. “The goal of these studies is to find solutions that meet the growing demand of aerial services while improving efficiencies in time and fuel and decreasing equipment wear and tear. Low water volume application technologies may offer that solution.”

Based on initial results, good coverage was achieved as low as 1 gallon per acre, with proper calibration and set up. Larger and less uniform droplet sizes were more likely at 2 gallons per acre, but more work needs to be done to determine why differences were observed. Drift also was adequately controlled and equal to 2 gallons-per-acre applications.

Yield measurements also showed positive results. Headline delivered similar yield benefits, regardless of application type or volume. In some locations, corn yield was up to 50 bushels per acre higher than the untreated check.

For more information about Headline and other BASF crop protection products, visit www.agproducts.basf.com.