Best Time To Spray Fungicide On Corn
Corn farmers around the United States rely on fungicides to control and prevent diseases that can harm yields and reduce profits. Fungicides are an essential tool for managing fungal infections and keeping corn plants healthy throughout the growing season. However, applying fungicides at the wrong time can be ineffective and waste time, money, and resources. Timing is everything when it comes to spraying fungicide on corn. In this article, we will discuss the best time to spray fungicides on corn to maximize effectiveness and efficiency.
Fungicide Applications - Timing
There are three primary stages during the corn plant's life cycle when farmers typically apply fungicides. These stages include:
- At planting: Fungicides are often applied at planting to protect seedlings from soil-borne diseases.
- V7 to V10: Fungicides are also applied at V7 to V10 growth stages to control and prevent foliar diseases like gray leaf spot, Northern corn leaf blight, and common rust.
- VT: The VT growth stage is the third critical time in the corn plant's life cycle when fungicides are applied. At this stage, farmers spray fungicides to protect yield and kernel quality as the corn plant reaches pollination.
While these are the critical stages when fungicides are applied, specific timing varies depending on the plant's growth stage and weather conditions.
Factors Affecting Fungicide Application Timing
Several factors affect the timing of fungicide applications:
- Weather: Weather conditions play a significant role in determining the best time to apply fungicides. Moisture, temperature, and humidity levels can all impact the timing of a fungicide application. For example, if conditions are too dry, the fungicide may not stick to the plant leaves, and if conditions are too wet, the fungicide may wash away.
- Crop rotation: If corn is grown after a crop susceptible to disease, the likelihood of disease may be higher, making fungicide application necessary at an earlier stage.
- Disease pressure: The level of disease pressure in the area also impacts fungicide application timing. If disease pressure is high, farmers may decide to apply fungicides at an earlier stage to protect the crop better.
- Corn hybrid: Different corn hybrids have varying levels of susceptibility to fungal diseases, so farmers may need to adjust the application timing accordingly.
Identifying Fungal Infections in Corn
It is important to inspect the corn crop regularly to determine if fungal infections are present. This can help farmers decide when to apply fungicides to control and prevent infections. Common signs of fungal infections in corn include:
- Brown spots on leaves: Brown spots on leaves are a clear sign of Northern corn leaf blight.
- Gray spots on leaves: Gray spots on leaves indicate gray leaf spot infections.
- Bumps on leaves: Small bumps on leaves that look like pustules and rust-colored spores indicate common rust.
- Ear rots: Ear rots appear as a reddish-brown mold on the corn cob and can infect ears at any stage of development.
Conclusion
Spraying fungicides at the right time is crucial to protecting corn crops from fungal infections and maximizing yields. The three primary stages for fungicide application include planting, V7 to V10, and VT growth stages. However, timing depends on weather conditions, crop rotation, disease pressure, and corn hybrid. Farmers must inspect their crops regularly to identify fungal infections and determine the best time for fungicide applications.
