CORN RESPONSE TO FOLIAR FUNGICIDE AND PRE-HARVEST DESICCANT
Endres,* G.E.1; Ransom, J.K.21Area Extension Specialist/Cropping Systems, NDSU Extension Service, Carrington, ND, 58421
2Agronomist - Cereal Crops, NDSU Extension Service, Fargo, ND, 58108
Abstract:
Farmers are interested in potential increase in corn yield with fungicides in the absence of foliar disease. Also, interest exists with use of a pre-harvest desiccant to hasten corn drying and harvest. A field study is being conducted by North Dakota State University to examine corn response to a foliar fungicide and pre-harvest desiccant. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Trials were conducted at Carrington and Prosper, ND in 2008 and 2009 with early- and late- maturing hybrids at each location. Best management practices were used for corn production. Headline fungicide was applied at 6 fl oz/acre during tassel to early-silk stages of growth. Gramoxone Inteon (paraquat) herbicide was applied at 32 fl oz/acre at physiological maturity. Fungicide use resulted in a yield increase of 10 bu/acre (8%) compared to the untreated check in one of four site-years (Carrington, 2008). Average yield with Headline was 3 bu/acre (2%) greater than the untreated check across site-years. Grain moisture was reduced 1.3 percentage points with the desiccant compared to the untreated check during one of four site-years (Prosper, 2008), while yield was similar among all trials. Fungicide, desiccant, and hybrid interactions were statistically non-significant among grain yield, moisture and test weight. The current results of this study indicate a consistent and positive corn response is not likely with use of these input strategies.