South Dakota Ag Connection - Applying a Fungicide to Hail-Damaged Crops

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Applying a Fungicide to Hail-Damaged Crops
South Dakota Ag Connection - 07/26/2017

The recent storms in eastern South Dakota left some fields damaged by hail and growers wondering if a fungicide application is needed to protect their hail damaged crops.

According to research conducted in Illinois and Wisconsin fields treated with numerous fungicides did not show significant yield increases explained Connie Strunk, SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist.

"These studies indicate no yield response as a result of fungicide application on hail damaged crops," she said.

The research conducted in Illinois used simulated hail damage and did not show significant yield increases from fungicide applications of Headline, Quadris, or Quilt. Similarly, research conducted in Wisconsin, under natural hail events, showed that Headline on corn (at R2 stage of growth) and Headline, Quilt and Stratego on soybeans (at R3 stage of growth) also did not result in increased yield.

What diseases should you watch for?

Following a hail event, growers should scout their fields for bacterial diseases, said Emmanuel Byamukama, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Plant Pathologist.

"Bacterial diseases mainly infect plants through wounds and may be elevated due to hail damage," Byamukama said. "These include bacterial pustule and bacterial blight on soybean and Goss's wilt on corn. Fungicides do not offer protection against these bacterial diseases."

When are fungicides warranted?

Applying fungicides on hail damaged plants should only be warranted if there are significant fungal diseases developing on these plants.

"Fungicides protect the yield potential of plants if significant diseases are present but do not improve the yield potential of crops," Strunk said.

She explained that both corn and soybeans should grow out of slight hail injury, unless the growing point was damaged.

Scout and apply a fungicide when soybean is between R1 and R3 and corn between VT and R1 and when significant disease pressure is developing and weather is favorable for disease development.

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