With ear rots becoming more common and stealing more corn yield, Syngenta has some recommendations for managing mycotoxins and maximizing silage return on investment.

Two mycotoxin-causing threats are Fusarium ear rot and Gibberella ear rot and both caused significant yield losses in 2023, an estimated 46.9 million bushels and 49.4 million bushels, respectively. The mycotoxins caused by each disease, Fumonison and Deoxynivalenol (DON), respectively can also result in additional losses at the grain elevator if levels are high.

“These diseases infiltrate the crop and diminish its overall integrity, limiting its potential for successful silage use post-harvest due to excess mycotoxin levels,” Tyler Harp, Ph.D., Syngenta technical product lead said. “We are seeing more reports of ear and stalk rots, which could correspondingly increase the amount of mycotoxin levels in silage. Most farmers rely on cultural practices such as hybrid selection and crop rotation to manage mycotoxins, but a fungicide can also be a solution.”

Miravis® Neo fungicide is one of the only fungicides in the U.S. labelled to successfully manage Fusarium ear rot and lower mycotoxin levels associated with the disease. This results in benefits to corn production. “In trials, we’ve seen lower mycotoxins and increased silage tons,” Harp said.

Harp says Miravis® Neo is one of Syngenta’s Cleaner & Greener fungicides. “Cleaner means strong, long lasting, potent disease control and greener is really referring to those plant health benefits,” said Harp.

Harp talked about Miravis® Neo during the 2024 Commodity Classic.
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