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Article
Meta-analysis of yield response of foliar fungicide-treated hybrid corn in the United States and Ontario, Canada
PloS ONE
  • Kiersten A. Wise, University of Kentucky Research and Education Center
  • Damon Smith, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  • Anna Freije, Purdue University
  • Daren S. Mueller, Iowa State University
  • Yuba Kandel, Iowa State University
  • Tom Allen, Mississippi State University
  • Carl A. Bradley, University of Kentucky Research and Education Center
  • Emmanuel Byamukama, South Dakota State University
  • Martin Chilvers, South Dakota State University
  • Travis Faske, Lonoke Extension Center
  • Andrew Friskop, North Dakota State University--Fargo
  • Clayton Hollier, LSU AgCenter
  • Tamra A. Jackson-Ziems, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
  • Heather Kelly, University of Tennessee West Tennessee Research and Education Center
  • Bob Kemerait, University of Georgia
  • Paul Price, III, LSU AgCenter
  • Alison Robertson, Iowa State University
  • Albert Tenuta, University of Guelph
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
6-5-2019
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0217510
Abstract

Background

Foliar fungicide applications to corn (Zea mays L.) occur at one or more application timings ranging from early vegetative growth stages to mid-reproductive stages. Previous studies indicated that fungicide applications are profitable under high disease pressure when applied during the tasseling to silking growth stages. Few comprehensive studies in corn have examined the impact of fungicide applications at an early vegetative growth stage (V6) compared to late application timings (VT) for yield response and return on fungicide investment (ROI) across multiple locations.

Objective

Compare yield response of fungicide application timing across multiple fungicide classes and calculate the probability of positive ROI.

Methods

Data were collected specifically for this analysis using a uniform protocol conducted in 13 states in the United States and one province in Canada from 2014–2015. Data were subjected to a primary mixed-model analysis of variance. Subsequent univariate meta-analyses, with and without moderator variables, were performed using standard meta-analytic procedures. Follow-up power and prediction analyses were performed to aid interpretation and development of management recommendations.

Results

Fungicide application resulted in a range of yield responses from -2,683.0 to 3,230.9 kg/ha relative to the non-treated control, with 68.2% of these responses being positive. Evidence suggests that all three moderator variables tested (application timing, fungicide class, and disease base level), had some effect (α = 0.05) on the absolute difference in yield between fungicide treated and non-treated plots (). Application timing influenced , with V6 + VT and the VT application timings resulting in greater yield responses than the V6 application timing alone. Fungicide formulations that combined demethylation inhibitor and quinone outside inhibitor fungicides significantly increased yield response.

Conclusion

Foliar fungicide applications can increase corn grain yield. To ensure the likelihood of a positive ROI, farmers should focus on applications at VT and use fungicides that include a mix of demethylation inhibitor and quinone outside inhibitor active ingredients.

Comments

This article is published as Wise, Kiersten A., Damon Smith, Anna Freije, Daren S. Mueller, Yuba Kandel, Tom Allen, Carl A. Bradley et al. "Meta-analysis of yield response of foliar fungicide-treated hybrid corn in the United States and Ontario, Canada." PLOS ONE 14, no. 6 (2019): e0217510. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217510.

Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Copyright Owner
Wise et al.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Kiersten A. Wise, Damon Smith, Anna Freije, Daren S. Mueller, et al.. "Meta-analysis of yield response of foliar fungicide-treated hybrid corn in the United States and Ontario, Canada" PloS ONE Vol. 14 Iss. 6 (2019) p. e0217510
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/alison-robertson/280/