Soybean Fungicides: Almost a “Sure Thing”

Everyone knows there’s no “sure thing” in farming, and especially in crop protection, but “putting a quality fungicide on your soybeans at the right time is pretty darn close,” said Scott Nelson, Federated’s director of agronomy.
 
Whether you’ve used a fungicide on your soybeans in the past or wondering about their benefits this year, Federated has helpful answers.
 
Nelson pointed out there are two main reasons to use fungicides on soybeans: 1) Overall plant health and disease protection, and 2) to protect against white mold (sclerotinia stem rot, a fungal disease).
 
“Depending on your specific circumstances, Federated can guide you to the right [fungicide] product at the right rate at the right time,” he said.
 
Fungicides are as much about plant health as they are about treating the fungal disease. “Better plant health equals better yields,” said Nelson.
 
Fungicides can help with plant health by:

1. Improving efficiency in photosynthesis, which helps improve pod-fill and boost profit potential at harvest.
2. Improving water-use efficiency, which helps reduce transpiration and water loss for better drought tolerance.

“Some fungicides offer both preventative and curative activity,” said Nelson. And, for less than two-bushels-worth of soybeans, you can improve plant health, protect against disease, and add 4-7 bushels to your total soybean yields this fall.