Protecting the Value of your Wheat

During a hot, dry summer, your focus may understandably be on finding yield wherever you can. However even in dry years, a fungicide application will help provide you with a yield bump and a strong return on your investment. Because of the potential for a higher return on investment, a fungicide should be considered part of your annual cropping plan.

One of the most problematic diseases in wheat grains, fusarium head blight (FHB), impacts yield, grade and quality. As little as 0.25 percent fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) downgrades your CWRS to a two, with 0.8 percent FDKs taking you down to a three. While there is currently no silver bullet to eliminate FHB from your wheat, a timely fungicide application can significantly reduce the impact of fusarium graminearum.

To achieve a top yielding crop, it is important to be aware of the potential for a wide range, soil-borne fungal disease outbreak and to preventatively control that disease. To get the most out of your fungicide – use the proper equipment settings and adequate water volumes. But first and foremost – spray at the right time.

So when is the best time to spray for the best yield increase?

In the past you may have been told to protect the flag leaf to protect yield. Recent studies have shown that a head timing application provides the best of both worlds – yield protection and quality improvement while protecting the flag leaf.

For max yield and disease protection, apply your fungicides at head timing when the head is extended from the flag with first flowers visible. https://t.co/GSrQJwwwU2#WestCdnAg pic.twitter.com/oZMbFPpSTg

— Crop Science Canada (@Bayer4CropsCA) July 10, 2018

Extensive Bayer field-scale trials compared results from three fungicide head timing applications: early head timing, first flower and late head timing. The trials revealed that the optimal time to maximize yield is when the head is extended up from the flag leaf and the first flowers are visible. However, applying a fungicide early or slightly later when the head is fully flowered or the flowers are falling off, will still provide a significant yield increase.

Even the best can be better

New Prosaro XTR has an enhanced formulation that delivers the same industry-leading disease control as Prosaro, but with increased yield potential. Wheat treated with new Prosaro XTR had a +14 percent increase in yield over the untreated check, and a +1.8 bu./ac. yield advantage over Caramba^®1. Even in low-disease pressure trials, Prosaro XTR provided a +1.9 bu./ac. increase over Prosaro². With the same fungicide active ingredients as Prosaro, this new formulation contains enhanced technology that helps boost plant defences, resulting in a healthier, more productive and higher yielding crop.

To learn more about your potential return on investment under different growing conditions, please visit ItsGrowTime.ca

Sources:

¹15 Bayer Product Development Trials (2014 – 2016)

²3 Bayer product development trials (2013 – 2015)