Disease pressure continues to be a challenge for corn and soybean producers, with the pathogens varying based on the crop and the geography of the farm. Corn growers often fight northern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot, southern corn rust and common rust. Soybean growers may battle white mold in the north and frog eye leaf spot further south. Regardless, the timing of a fungicide application is key.
“Unfortunately, in the case of pathogens, what has occurred as far as infesting that pathogen on the leaf, we can’t reverse that. We can’t go backwards. We can’t go back and erase what’s there,” said Matt Wiggins, technical service manager with FMC. “So, it’s key in being preventative and being proactive when using fungicides and staying out in front of it more so than just being reactive and trying to fix the problem once we have. So, it can make all the difference in the world.”
Wiggins said a fungicide should be applied as soon as the disease is discovered. For corn, that time is usually at tassel or shortly thereafter. For soybeans, it’s more likely around the R3 stage or when the crop is nearing pod fill. FMC offers a number of products including Preemptor and Topguard EQ to fight disease. Wiggins said new products are coming in 2019.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Matt Wiggins: Interview with Matt Wiggins, FMC