Fungicides may not increase corn yields unless diseased

A study by Purdue University shows that fungicides might not always be a good idea as they may not increase corn yields,unless disease develops. Kiersten Wise, an assistant professor of botany and plant pathology, said "fungicides used in fields where conditions were optimal for fungal diseases improved yields and paid for themselves".

"About five years ago, we never used fungicides in hybrid corn. Then there was this push to use fungicides for yield enhancement, even without disease problems," said Wise, who collaborated on findings that were published as an American Phytopathological Society feature article in the journal Phytopathology. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers