Evaluate the sustainability of multiple fungicide applications to corn

Project Overview

ONC24-142
Project Type: Partnership
Funds awarded in 2024: $49,991.00
Projected End Date: 04/30/2026
Grant Recipient: University of Missouri
Region: North Central
State: Missouri
Project Coordinator:
Mandy Bish
University of Missouri

Commodities

No commodities identified

Practices

No practices identified

Proposal abstract:

Unnecessary fungicide applications affect our ability to sustainably manage crop diseases. They provide opportunity for fungal pathogens to develop fungicide resistance due to routine chemical exposures. We need to conserve our use of fungicides now, so that products are available in the future as disease pressure is predicted to increase with a changing climate. Loss of fungicides will increase our reliance on techniques like tillage to bury diseased crop residue.

The recent emergence of two corn diseases in the north central US has led to even more concern about stewardship of fungicides.  Tar spot and southern rust of corn can reduce yields by 45 to 50 bushels per acre in certain conditions. In 2023, some farmers in northwest Missouri chose to make three fungicide applications to manage tar spot. Success of those applications in protecting yield remains unknown. The general lack of information to assist these farmers and others in making application decisions can be addressed through on-farm strip trials.

The proposed partnership will allow University of Missouri Extension Specialists and Missouri farmers to compare single and multiple fungicide applications to corn.  Reducing unnecessary fungicide use is an important component of sustainable integrated disease management.

Project objectives from proposal:

We plan to carry out on-farm strip trials to provide information on economic and sustainability benefits (and costs) of multiple fungicide applications to corn. We will utilize the following types of data for this analysis:

  • Agronomic input data like seeding rate, row spacing, irrigation, total number of active ingredients in products, growth stage at application
  • Economic input costs for products and application
  • Environmental data, such as topography and weather
  • Yield data

Findings generated from this study will be applicable to farmers and agriculture professionals in the north central region and to technical audiences working to find sustainable disease management solutions.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.