LEXINGTON, Ky. — With grain prices at unprecedented levels and some fungicide companies implementing aggressive marketing campaigns, many corn and soybean producers are considering applying a fungicide to increase yields.
But growers should consider the risks before applying fungicide to crops because its effects are unpredictable and in many cases, applications are not warranted.
“Historically, corn and soybeans are not grown under conditions that favor the development of foliar fungal diseases — the primary target of fungicide applications,” said University of Kentucky plant pathologist Don Hershman.
“Most acreage that is being treated in Kentucky does not need it for disease control.”
Not always needed
Producers are also treating to maximize plant health as a hedge against crop stress, Hershman said.
“Some fungicides have produced higher yields compared to nontreated crops in the absence of disease, but university research trials indicate that statistically higher yields are produced only about 25-30 percent of the time when disease is not a factor,” he said.
“Marketing literature from fungicide manufacturers suggests a much more favorable outcome than what we find in replicated studies in Kentucky and across the Midwest.”
Marketing push
Applying fungicide to soybeans has been done for some time now, but widespread applications to corn have only occurred during the last two years.
During this time, crop prices have sharply increased; fungicide companies vamped up their marketing efforts to target corn and soybean producers, and many grain producers have had favorable results when applying fungicides.
The result is an estimated 50 million acres — about 30 percent — of corn and soybeans in the United States will be treated with a fungicide in 2008.
If yields do increase, producers can easily recoup the cost of the fungicide and application, which is averaging about $22 an acre. But while fungicides may produce yield increases for some producers, it may result in yield loss for others.
In the field
In 2007, Kentucky plant pathologist Paul Vincelli and Chad Lee, UK extension grain crops specialist, conducted experiments to test the effectiveness of fungicides on increasing corn yields under low disease and good growing conditions.
The results showed no significant difference between treated and untreated plots. Vincelli said he conducted similar tests several years ago and received similar results.
Their findings are consistent with other research from across the country, which has shown fungicide applications caused modest gains in average yields for both corn and soybeans, but results greatly varied depending on the treatment and the individual crop.
For example, in university studies conducted for corn in 2007, some applications produced as much as 27 more bushels per acre, but some resulted in a loss of 29 bushels per acre.
Down side
In addition to its unpredictability, fungicides could have other adverse effects.
Hershman said there have been several documented cases where insect populations have soared because fungicides killed beneficial fungi, which kept populations down. This could result in the producers taking on additional costs by having to purchase an insecticide.
The “greening effect” of strobilurin fungicides could slow or delay harvest because grains harvested at higher moisture may require more drying.
Producers should weigh these risks before deciding if the fungicide would be economical for their operation.
Get good coverage
If farmers decide to apply fungicide, it is important to have excellent spray coverage. Either aerial or ground spraying can accomplish this.
Be sure to follow label instructions and leave an untreated strip large enough to determine the impact of spray applications.
Hershman and Vincelli encourage producers to use fungicides only when there is a significant risk for disease. Producers will get the best results from fungicides when diseases are present or likely to occur.
