Timing is everything: Fungicide applications pay, Beck’s study shows

ATLANTA, Ind. — Applying a fungicide at the R3 growth stage shows a return on investment of $17.68 per acre, according to seven-year data from Beck’s Hybrids.

Beck’s Practical Farm Research has found fungicide applications in soybeans are one of the most consistently profitable management practices, when timing is right.

“The R3 growth stage is the key time to apply a fungicide in soybeans and will last approximately 10 days, said Travis Burnett, field agronomist at Beck’s.

“It’s crucial to target this window to experience a consistent response year in, year out.”

Three-year, multi-location fungicide time of day showed a $12.97 per acre advantage when sprayed at 8 a.m. versus $7.63 per acre at 3 p.m.

“By applying fungicide at 8 a.m. after a heavy dew when the stomates of the plant are open, we have seen additional coverage on the soybean plant,” said Collin Scherer, PFR location lead at Beck’s.

Fungicides primarily prevent or mitigate disease pressure, but they can also increase water use efficiency, photosynthesis, nitrate reductase activity, increase the window for grain fill and improve stress tolerance.

Learn more at www.beckshybrids.com.