Sometimes, growers experience a fungicide failure… a product just didn’t work. But understanding why it didn't work is the key to knowing what will work. Southeast Farm Press explored five reasons fungicide programs fail, and Lynn Justesen, UPL Senior Technical Sales Specialist, added his perspective from the field about why fungicides flop:
- Rate issues – Using the wrong rate of a product can give you problems right out of the gate. Consult the product label on how much fungicide needs to be used, and ensure the application equipment is in good working order prior to usage. You'll need the right gallon and the right size nozzle to ensure consistent, complete coverage.
- Application timing was off – As the article mentions, fungicides often become more effective when applied preventatively. In turn, growers who start earlier with fungicide applications may experience a short window of disease pressure, so that's where a curative fungicide application may be needed.
- Using the wrong product – The market is full of both old and
new chemistries. Growers shouldn’t adopt the mindset of, "Well, this is
the product I’ve always used, so I'll go with it on my crops again this
season.” Doing a yearly inventory of your crop management plan becomes
even more important if you experience a year where your fungicide didn’t
perform as well as usual.
Some growers may want to consider an in-furrow fungicide application like TEPERA® or TEPERA PLUS, as well. These easy-to-use products do not require dilution or special equipment, and they both go into solution with liquid starter fertilizers.
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Mismanaged expectations – A strong management plan is key to balancing expectations for your crops. With diseases like white mold and SDS, for example, growers will discover the disease and be too late to treat. With a full management plan from the start of the season, growers are ready for the diseases they've seen in the past.
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Water – Both too much rainfall and too little water after initial fungicide applications can be problematic in terms of efficacy. Keeping records of rainfall from season to season can help to plan for whatever the weather does this year.
Want to learn more about to how avoid a fungicide failure for the upcoming season? Contact your retailer or UPL sales representative for additional information.
