HSA | Soils and Sustainability
Effect of Fungicide Application on Corn (Zea mays) stomata and yield in Western Kentucky
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Agronomy
Minor
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Megan Taylor; Blake Kennedy; Christopher Powell; Zachary Brown
Presentation Format
Event
Abstract/Description
Application of fungicide has traditionally been used to control fungal foliar pathogens in crop production. Following application of fungicides a synergistic effect between the crop and the fungicide was observed and described as increased plant health.This term plant health has been utilized for several years and yield increases have been noted in many crops with different active ingredients. Recent studies indicate that certain fungicides, Group 11 (strobilurins), affect the guard cells that surround stomata and may influence their opening and closing throughout development. To capture the connection between stomata, plant health, and fungicide application this study was completed. This study attempts to determine how fungicides can increase plant health by looking at stomatal conductance in corn after applications of fungicides. This study was designed as a randomized complete block design. The study was established and completed in Murray, Kentucky on the Pullen Farm. Group 3, Group 7, Group 11, and subsequent combination fungicides were utilized in this study. In total there were ten treatments applied at the R1-R2 growth stage in corn. Rates were determined from label recommendations and the same adjuvant was utilized for all treatments. The adjuvant was applied on its own as well as an untreated check to compare all products against. Chlorophyll fluorescence, disease pressure, abaxial stomata, axial stomata, NDVI, and yield were collected. Plots were observed before, seven days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days following the application of treatments. At this time all measures except yield were collected and analyzed. Preliminary results indicate that stomata respond to Group 11 fungicides the most out of all the treatments applied.
Fall Scholars Week 2023 Event
Soils and Sustainability
Effect of Fungicide Application on Corn (Zea mays) stomata and yield in Western Kentucky
Application of fungicide has traditionally been used to control fungal foliar pathogens in crop production. Following application of fungicides a synergistic effect between the crop and the fungicide was observed and described as increased plant health.This term plant health has been utilized for several years and yield increases have been noted in many crops with different active ingredients. Recent studies indicate that certain fungicides, Group 11 (strobilurins), affect the guard cells that surround stomata and may influence their opening and closing throughout development. To capture the connection between stomata, plant health, and fungicide application this study was completed. This study attempts to determine how fungicides can increase plant health by looking at stomatal conductance in corn after applications of fungicides. This study was designed as a randomized complete block design. The study was established and completed in Murray, Kentucky on the Pullen Farm. Group 3, Group 7, Group 11, and subsequent combination fungicides were utilized in this study. In total there were ten treatments applied at the R1-R2 growth stage in corn. Rates were determined from label recommendations and the same adjuvant was utilized for all treatments. The adjuvant was applied on its own as well as an untreated check to compare all products against. Chlorophyll fluorescence, disease pressure, abaxial stomata, axial stomata, NDVI, and yield were collected. Plots were observed before, seven days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days following the application of treatments. At this time all measures except yield were collected and analyzed. Preliminary results indicate that stomata respond to Group 11 fungicides the most out of all the treatments applied.