Growers consider disease and logistical issues for 2023 fungicide decisions

GREENSBORO, N.C. — With the spread of yield-robbing diseases like tar spot and frogeye leaf spot throughout the United States, fungicide applications have grown increasingly popular and crucial to protect yield potential.

However, with treated corn, soybean and wheat acres hovering around 40%, the rise in fungicide usage can pose new, unanticipated issues for growers.

“As more growers are applying fungicides, logistical issues like product availability and too few aerial and ground rig applicators will likely pinch growers’ ability to cover all their acres,” said Tyler Harp, Syngenta fungicide technical product lead.

There are only 1,580 aerial application businesses in the United States, and as more growers apply fungicides, it may be harder for growers to fit into applicator schedules and get their product applied at the right time for effective control.

To overcome this, selecting a fungicide that provides long-lasting disease control, added plant-health benefits and a variety of application timings will be crucial as treatment intensity continues to rise.

“With the Syngenta portfolio of fungicides like Miravis Ace, Miravis Neo, Miravis Top and Trivapro, growers can expect cleaner and greener fields with higher potential yield and ROI,” said Logan Romines, Syngenta fungicide product lead.

These fungicides are powered by Adepidyn and Solatenol technologies to provide long-lasting yield protection with lower cost-per-day control to help maximize yield potential.

“Unlike other fungicides, the active ingredients in our Cleaner & Greener fungicides have the unique ability to stick around and help protect yield longer,” Harp said.

“Their staying power and disease-fighting intensity give growers application flexibility and an upper hand in combating any infrastructure issues and allow further protection against diseases, especially with two-pass applications against diseases like tar spot.”

In addition to protection against tough-to-control diseases, these fungicides also deliver plant-health benefits.

Even in low disease years, the data show greener plants can better capture and use light energy, water and nutrients, allowing maximum grain production as well as stalk and pod strength for unmatched harvest efficiency.

“When you look at Trivapro, the thing that really catches my attention is the standability,” said Kentucky corn grower Davie Stephens. “If you’ve got a healthy plant, you’ll end up having a better chance to make a good yield.”

With Trivapro fungicide, Stephens has not only seen significantly improved stalk health, but also a great defense against southern rust, a prevalent disease in the area.

“Southern rust concerns me the most because of all the devastation it can do,” he said. “A lot of chemistries can’t really control it, but with the chemistry of Trivapro, it enables the plant to overcome the effects of the disease.”

Stephens is not the only one investing in a Syngenta Cleaner & Greener fungicide this season, as more growers across the Midwest are seeing the benefits of their use.

“I tried Miravis Neo for the first time last year and got great results,” said Nebraska grower Arlis Eitzmann. “I raised the best dryland soybeans that I ever had, and they went to yield 82 bushels per acre.”

Illinois grower Mark Geiger also has benefited from the Cleaner & Greener lineup.

“We have tried various fungicides on our beans with variable results, but Miravis Top has given us the yield results that we have been looking for,” he said.

“Miravis Top has boosted our averages five to 15 bushels per acre. We plan on treating all our soybean acres this year.”