Corn Product Response to Fungicide Application and Seeding Rate

January 13, 2025

TRIAL OBJECTIVE

  • Bayer offers several fungicide products for corn growers in the Mid-South region of the United States.
  • In many cases, a timely fungicide application may help reduce disease pressure.
  • This non-replicated strip trial compared the yield of several corn products at two different seeding rates when Delaro® 325 SC fungicide was applied.

RESEARCH SITE DETAILS

  • Delaro® 325 SC fungicide was applied at 12 fl oz/acre and compared against an untreated check.
  • All field work, tillage, and herbicides were conducted or applied per local standards.
Table 1. Corn products planted.


site details

  • The trial used non-replicated strip plots.
  • Plot Size – 12 rows; 1,000 feet in length with experimental units measuring approximately 1 acre.
  • Data were collected as follows:
    • Disease notes were recorded as observed during the season.
    • The crop was harvested with a combine machine and yields were corrected to 15.5% moisture content for reporting.

UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS

Figure 1. Corn grain yield response to seeding rate and Delaro® 325 SC fungicide applied at a rate of 12 fl oz/acre
Figure 1. Corn grain yield response to seeding rate and Delaro® 325 SC fungicide applied at a rate of 12 fl oz/acre.

Figure 2. Corn grain yield response to different corn products, seeding rates, and Delaro® 325 SC fungicide applied at a rate of 12 fl oz/acre.
Figure 2. Corn grain yield response to different corn products, seeding rates, and Delaro® 325 SC fungicide applied at a rate of 12 fl oz/acre.

  • During the trial, this site experienced low to moderate disease pressure. Southern rust (Puccinia polysora) was the primary pathogen present in the study.
  • In this study, yield improvements were observed when Delaro® 325 SC fungicide was applied to both seeding rates of corn (Figure 1).
    • 31,000 seeds/acre – Plots treated with Delaro® 325 SC fungicide had an average yield increase of 4 bu/acre over untreated plots.
    • 39,000 seeds/acre – Plots treated with Delaro® 325 SC fungicide had an average yield increase of 9 bu/acre over untreated plots.

KEY LEARNINGS

  • Delaro® 325 SC fungicide offers excellent disease control. Consider disease pressure and how it may dictate the yield and economic benefits of each fungicide application.
  • Corn fields planted at higher seeding rates typically have a greater yield potential and may benefit more from a fungicide application.
  • Each field, farm, corn product, and agronomic case should be evaluated individually to determine if a fungicide application may be beneficial.
  • Please contact you Bayer® Crop Science and DEKALB® brand seed representative for more information.

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