In wetter growing areas, growers are advised to reserve Tilt for the prospect of heavy disease pressure later in the season, says Tom Harris of Ciba Plant Protection. Timely use of fungicides can preserve grain quality as well as yield. Ostlund Chemical Co. put out several test plots last year with applicators and chemical dealers. The dual treatment produced less insect damage and disease, leading to improved yields and quality. Yields were 10.1 bushels per acre higher in one field and 12.3 bushels higher in another.
Fungicides are most effective when applied before diseases spread.
Tilt offers two-day reach back capability against foliar diseases. It can be applied by air or ground at flag leaf emergence, and protects the flag leaf and developing kernels for about three weeks.