Effect of foliar-applied pesticides and surfactants on ear development in hybrid dent corn
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of pre-tassel applications of foliar-applied pesticides and surfactants on ear development in hybrid corn. Increased reports of ear development abnormalities first surfaced during the 2007 growing season in the Midwest. The majority of these ear abnormalities were designated as either "arrested ear development" or "hollow husk", with arrested ear development being more commonly used. The reports of arrested ear development in 2007 coincided with an increase that year in the use of foliar fungicides applied around the V14 growth stage of corn. Due to the association of arrested ear development with applications of foliar fungicides, the cause was initially suspected to be injury by the chemical mode of action of foliar fungicides. Research was established to investigate this phenomenon in 2009 with these specific objectives: 1) elucidate contributing factors to arrested ear development, 2) determine the optimum timing for pre-tassel nonionic surfactant applications to prevent arrested ear development and associated yield loss, and 3) determine the impact of nonionic surfactant chemistries on arrested ear development. Replicated field trials were established at the Purdue Agronomy Center for Research and Education, West Lafayette, IN, in 2009, 2010, and 2011, and results indicate that arrested ear development occurrence increases when nonionic surfactant products containing alkylphenol ethoxylate are applied from growth stages V10 to V14. Reductions in grain yield, kernels per ear, and ear length also result from arrested ear development. Nonionic surfactant applications after the VT growth stage appear to be safe relative to ear development in corn.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Wise, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Agronomy|Agriculture|Plant Pathology
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