From tar spot to white mold, disease pressure in 2020 has been top of mind. The weather during the 2019 season created prime conditions for disease development. As a result, many growers have seen increased disease pressure in their corn and soybean fields. With inoculum levels expected to be high in 2020, you may already be adjusting your disease management plan. While preparing to combat increased disease pressure in the 2020 season, don’t forget to watch out for other stressors that can affect your corn and soybean plants.

Plant health is a measurement visible through summer and fall, and is also a key indicator of what you can expect to see when the combine rolls out. A healthier plant means a greater chance of hitting the desired number on your yield monitor.

Several factors outside of disease – like too much or too little rain – can impact plant health and the ability to bulk up yield. To help combat, consider:

• For corn: A fungicide with robust plant-health benefits helps improve water-use efficiency, enhance stalk integrity and reduce the risk of lodging. This results in an increased grain-fill period and improved harvest efficiency.
• For soybeans: When the right fungicide is applied, soybeans have stronger pods to increase pod retention and have quicker canopy closure that deprives weeds of sunlight. Soybeans also experience a prolonged grain-fill period by preventing crops from dying down early.

To give your crops a boost, consider Miravis® Neo fungicide, which delivers excellent, broad-spectrum disease control and plant-health benefits.

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