University and industry scientists weigh in on fungicides for plant health in corn and soybeans

History Routine fungicide use in corn and soybean is a relatively new trend. In the past, producers typically managed diseases through crop rotation, disease-resistant hybrid selection, optimum planting timing and post-harvest tillage to hasten decomposition of potentially contaminated plant residue. There was little marketing or research attention given to fungicide use. “In corn there are a lot of great diseaseresistant hybrids and the joke in the industry is if you have a disease, you chose the wrong hybrid,” says Damon Smith, University of Wisconsin Field Crops Pathologist.