Higher grain prices have growers questioning the value of foliar applying fungicides for wheat. Research indicates that the most consistent yield response occur when applied between flag leaf emergence through flowering. Knowing the variety resistance to major diseases is key in expecting the return on a fungicide application.
There has been promotion of early fungicide applications during green-up but the yield response is very small compared to later fungicide applications. Also, this does not protect the wheat from diseases that occur later on.
The susceptibility of wheat varieties is the primary criteria for determining if a fungicide application is needed along with proper crop scouting. Varieties that have multiple resistances have less probability of fungicide yield enhancement.
Research results show the efficacy of fungicides is similar for most major diseases. If you are concerned about scab, consider using some of the MU releases that have resistance to this disease. These varieties are soft red winter wheats.
For more information, contact Wayne Flanary at 660-446-3724 or Heather Benedict at 660-425-6434, Regional Agronomists, University of Missouri Extension.
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