Evaluation of Tillage, Residue, and Fungicide on Disease Incidence in Continuous Corn Production Systems

Abstract

<p>There have been several changes in hybrid corn production in Iowa in recent years. Foliar fungicide use and removal of corn stalks in continuous corn systems is becoming more common in farmer-adopted practices as the need for economical feedstuffs for cattle feed and ethanol production have increased. Furthermore, with higher corn prices, the number of acres of corn-on-corn have risen in the past few years. Many of the common foliar leaf spot pathogens survive in surface residues, therefore, these changes in production practices may affect the risk of disease and associated yield loss. The objectives of this project under continuous corn were: 1) to assess the effect of residue removal and foliar fungicide application on the incidence of disease, and 2) changes in yield.</p>