Plant Health Benefits of F500 Fungicides

Cindy Zimmerman

During the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk, BASF was pleased to announce new research showcasing the Plant Health benefits of fungicides containing F500® fungicide, like Headline, and how they can help growers increase yield and profit potential. The research, which was conducted by BASF in the field and in greenhouse settings, shows that BASF fungicides increase net photosynthesis in corn and soybean plants, which increases energy production, leading to increased yield potential.

“Over the last two years we’ve really been digging into the growth efficiency portion of the plant health message,” said Jennifer Holland, Ph.D., Technical Market Specialist, BASF. “Specifically we found that plant health fungicides can increase the photosynthesis of the plant and that’s important to growers because photosynthesis drives energy in the plant and that ultimately allows the plant to put more energy towards grain fill at the end of the season, increasing profitability.”

This year, BASF conducted a greenhouse study on the Plant Health benefits of fungicides in varying water conditions. In the study, conducted under water-stressed conditions, plants treated with a fungicide containing F500 were nearly 30 percent more efficient at net photosynthesis than the untreated plants. The fungicide-treated plants were able to handle stress better than untreated plants, which can lead to higher yield potential.

Jennifer says they also found that Headline also helps increase roots, which is tied to nutrient uptake, water uptake and standability.

Listen to my interview with Jennifer here: Dr. Jennifer Holland with BASF

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album

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