Tom J. Bechman
STOP DISEASE: The goal is to arrest symptoms of diseases like southern rust with a fungicide. How and when you apply the fungicide affects your ROI. Corn Illustrated: Select the right product and tweak the application process to boost yield response.
Suggested Event
Jun 15, 2021 to Jun 17, 2021
You know fungicides return more dollars per acre on your investment if there is significant disease pressure, especially with susceptible hybrids. Jason Gahimer, manager of Beck’s Practical Farm Research, says there are other ways to increase the likelihood of a higher yield response and better return on investment when applying fungicides.
Producers can learn new information about how new products, management practices and equipment perform on their farms by conducting replicated research trials.
Some Ohio corn showing signs of ear rots
This photo illustrates various ear rots of corn: Diplodia (A); Giberrella (B); Fusarium (C); and Trichoderma (D).
Felipe Dalla Lana | OSU Cereal Pathology Lab
If you had damaged corn or were rejected at an elevator because your vomitoxin levels were too high, you are not alone. This was a widespread issue across Ohio. Vomitoxin is caused by Gibberella Ear Rot. Like with most ear rots, it is difficult to control because there has not been clear results on management strategies.
Harvest and hybrid management
Harvesting early is very important. While you cannot get rid of vomitoxin, getting the grain cooled down and dry can stop the spread. There is some indication that increasing the combine fan speed during harvest will help clean out the grain. This has worked in wheat. OSU will run a study this winter to fine tune this recommendation. Some hybrids are more resistant than others, but this often is not indicated by seed companies. If yo