Cleaner and Greener Corn Crop in Dixon, IL

You may be debating whether or not applying a fungicide is worth it this year since most of the Midwest is under moderate to exceptional drought conditions. But the question shouldn’t be if it is worth it to spray a fungicide this year, but rather if you can afford not to.

In the last five years, 2020 was the driest summer and 2021 was the wettest. But in both scenarios, the Syngenta Cleaner & Greener fungicide portfolio still showed excellent performance and improved corn yields over untreated acres. In the dry conditions of 2020, Miravis® Neo and Trivapro® fungicides delivered an average 14.1 bu/A yield increase over untreated; and in the wet, tar-spot-heavy conditions of 2021, they delivered an average 17.2 bu/A increase over untreated¹. Likewise, the data showed a 6.8 to 7.8 bu/A yield advantage in soybeans treated with Miravis Neo or Miravis Top compared to untreated acres. ²

By choosing a fungicide with both exceptional disease control and proven plant-health benefits, you can expect stronger, healthier plants – even under drought conditions. Why? It all comes down to three pillars: light absorption, water conservation and harvest efficiency. Syngenta technical product lead Tyler Harp explains how these add up to healthier plants and higher potential yield.

1. Light Absorption: Harp said, “Leaves that are greener can capture more light energy from the sun and can convert more energy to money-making yield.”
2. Water conservation: “Better water conservation with Syngenta plant-health fungicides means a lower transpiration rate in the leaves, minimized water vapor loss in the crop, better moisture retention, and a more efficient use of water ― which is key in a drought,” Harp said.
3. Harvest Efficiency: With fungicides that control disease and help preserve crop strength, there is less lodging and shattering at harvest. “This allows growers to more quickly conduct their harvest, saving time, fuel and ultimately money,” Harp said.

When combined, improved water conservation, a more effective use of light energy and a more efficient harvest ensure a healthier and more productive crop that will maximize grain fill and yield potential.

The disease risk may be lower this year from the dry conditions but choosing the right fungicide can still help preserve yield under drought conditions. That’s why we recommend the Syngenta Cleaner & Greener portfolio of fungicides like Miravis Neo, Miravis Top, Miravis Ace and  Trivapro.

Want to learn more about how Cleaner & Greener fungicides work? Watch as Harp and Syngenta product lead Logan Romines explain the science behind boosting bushels with the Syngenta fungicide portfolio.

Interested in how Cleaner & Greener fungicides can boost your bottom line? Try our Miravis Revenue Calculator to see how you can unlock your potential return on investment.

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¹ Syngenta on-farm, large strip trials. 2020 trial locations: IA (2), IL (33), IN (6), NE (6), OH (13), WI (11) and SD (26). 2021 trial locations: IL (35), IN (9), WI (7) and SD (13).

² Syngenta on-farm, large strip trials. 2020 trial locations: IA (5), IL (29), IN (6), OH (10), WI (17) and SD (15). 2021 trial locations: IL (25), IN (1), WI (3) and SD (2).

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Product performance assumes disease presence. Performance assessments are based upon results or analysis of public information, field observations and/or internal Syngenta evaluations. Trials reflect treatment rates commonly recommended in the marketplace.

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