The economics of foliar fungicide applications in winter wheat in Northeast Texas

Abstract

Among plant pathogenic organisms, fungi are a major reason for crop losses around the world and have a significant impact on yield and quality. Previous studies suggest that up to 42% yield loss caused by fungal diseases can be prevented by applying foliar fungicides to winter wheat. Local wheat production data on fungicide application, yield, and disease severity for four soft-red winter wheat cultivars (Magnolia, Terral LA841, Pioneer 25R47, Coker 9553) for two years (2011 and 2012) in three locations in Northeast Texas (Royse City, Howe, and Leonard) were analyzed to study the economics of one foliar fungicide (TebuStar® 3.6L). A preventive application of the fungicide resulted in a relatively conservative 9.41% overall yield gain and a net return (from investing in tebuconazole) of $107.7/ha in 2012, which lead to an overall positive (two-year average) net returns of $52.09/ha. A probability analysis indicated that positive overall net returns are likely and that most of the cultivars considered have the potential to produce a yield gain necessary to at least break even with or exceed the cost of applying tebuconazole.