Night-spraying fungicides

The Challenge

Growers are faced with a short time frame for fungicide application which can be detrimental to efficacy due to weather conditions, environmental consequences and economic considerations.

The Project

Understand the relationship between environmental conditions and fungicide efficacy, with a consideration to application timing at three distinct times throughout the day. Quantify potential yield effects, quality and return on investment resulting from the use of fungicides.

The Results

Unfortunately, disease pressure was low for the study, but the results were consistent and agreeable with other researchers; crops under low disease pressure are not likely to respond to fungicides regarding higher yield potential. Application of fungicides during the day, night or dawn did not affect the efficacy on barley, wheat and canola.

Grower Benefits

Help growers save input costs by choosing fungicides based on potential yield advantages for fields with medium-high disease pressure.