Get More From Your Fungicide Pass This Season
Jun 15, 2026
As we move into the heart of the growing season across eastern Kansas, corn is rapidly approaching one of the most critical decision points of the year: the fungicide application at tassel. This is an opportunity to protect the investment already in the field while capturing additional yield through a well-planned and executed pass. Research consistently shows that fungicide applications made at VT–R1 provide the greatest likelihood of return on investment, largely because this window aligns fungicide activity with peak disease pressure, maximum plant stress, and the most critical period for protecting grain fill. Applying too early can leave the crop unprotected later in the season, while applying too late often means yield has already been lost.
Across our geography, southern rust, gray leaf spot, and increasing pressure from tar spot in parts of northeast Kansas all contribute to the value of a timely fungicide application. This fungicide trip is also an opportunity to optimize yield. Where we are seeing the biggest opportunity in maximizing this pass is by including key nutrients that support the plant during this critical stage.
Boron is one of the most overlooked yet impactful nutrients to consider. It plays an essential role in pollen development, pollination success, and the movement of sugars from the leaves to the ear. As the plant approaches tassel, boron demand increases significantly, particularly between V10 and R2. In environments where early-season rainfall has leached nutrients or where soils are lighter and lower in organic matter, boron availability can become a limiting factor. When that happens, growers may see poor kernel set, inconsistent ear fill, or tip-back that ultimately reduces yield potential. Including a boron product such as Max-In Boron with a fungicide application helps ensure that the plant has the necessary resources to convert pollination into actual yield.
Nitrogen is another important consideration during this window. While much of the focus on nitrogen management happens earlier in the season, the crop demand tells a different story. Corn takes up the majority of its nitrogen between V6 and R1, and a meaningful portion of that demand continues during grain fill. This is especially important in years where nitrogen loss may have occurred due to excessive rainfall or where uptake has been inconsistent due to weather conditions. Supplemental nitrogen in the fungicide pass through a product such as Gradual N or other efficient nitrogen sources can help sustain the plant through peak demand, support photosynthesis, and improve grain fill during the latter part of the season. In many cases, this late-season support can be the difference between protecting yield potential and maximizing it.
Ultimately, the goal is to make every trip across the field count. A well-timed fungicide application at VT–R1 is one of the most impactful passes of the season, and when paired with the right nutritional components, it becomes a powerful tool for increasing return on investment. The most effective programs consistently focus on hitting the timing, understanding field level disease risk and yield potential, and stacking value in the tank to ensure the application delivers measurable results.
Article by Nathan Larson, Director of Sales.
Across our geography, southern rust, gray leaf spot, and increasing pressure from tar spot in parts of northeast Kansas all contribute to the value of a timely fungicide application. This fungicide trip is also an opportunity to optimize yield. Where we are seeing the biggest opportunity in maximizing this pass is by including key nutrients that support the plant during this critical stage.
Boron is one of the most overlooked yet impactful nutrients to consider. It plays an essential role in pollen development, pollination success, and the movement of sugars from the leaves to the ear. As the plant approaches tassel, boron demand increases significantly, particularly between V10 and R2. In environments where early-season rainfall has leached nutrients or where soils are lighter and lower in organic matter, boron availability can become a limiting factor. When that happens, growers may see poor kernel set, inconsistent ear fill, or tip-back that ultimately reduces yield potential. Including a boron product such as Max-In Boron with a fungicide application helps ensure that the plant has the necessary resources to convert pollination into actual yield.
Nitrogen is another important consideration during this window. While much of the focus on nitrogen management happens earlier in the season, the crop demand tells a different story. Corn takes up the majority of its nitrogen between V6 and R1, and a meaningful portion of that demand continues during grain fill. This is especially important in years where nitrogen loss may have occurred due to excessive rainfall or where uptake has been inconsistent due to weather conditions. Supplemental nitrogen in the fungicide pass through a product such as Gradual N or other efficient nitrogen sources can help sustain the plant through peak demand, support photosynthesis, and improve grain fill during the latter part of the season. In many cases, this late-season support can be the difference between protecting yield potential and maximizing it.
Ultimately, the goal is to make every trip across the field count. A well-timed fungicide application at VT–R1 is one of the most impactful passes of the season, and when paired with the right nutritional components, it becomes a powerful tool for increasing return on investment. The most effective programs consistently focus on hitting the timing, understanding field level disease risk and yield potential, and stacking value in the tank to ensure the application delivers measurable results.
Article by Nathan Larson, Director of Sales.