Effect of pyraclostrobin fungicide applied with varying amounts of inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of green corn and incidence of diseases

A field trial was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield responses of green corn to Pyraclostrobin fungicide applied with varying amounts of inorganic fertilizers and to determine its effect on the incidence and severity of diseases. Seven treatments were tested using 'Round-up Ready' corn variety. Treatments were replicated three times with six rows per plot (30 sq m). All plants were basally applied with complete fertilizer while urea and muriate of potash (MOP) were side dressed at varying rates of 100, 75 and 50% based on the farmer's practice. Pyraclostrobin fungicide at the rate of 500 ml per hectare was sprayed at 35 days after sowing (DAS). Pyraclostrobin fungicide applied at the rate of 500 ml per hectare, in combination with varying rates (100, 75 and 50%) of urea and muriate of potash, significantly increased plant height, leaf greening, leaf area index, root length and root mass of Round-up Ready corn. No significant effect, however, was noted on percentage germination, days to tasselling and days to silking. Pyraclostrobin fungicide, in combination with the three rates or urea and muriate of potash, likewise increased percent grain filling, ear length, ear diameter and weight of 50 ears. Yield (tons/ha) was significantly increased in all plots sprayed with Pyraclostrobin fungicide. Plants side dressed with 75% urea and MOP + 500 ml/ha. Pyraclostrobin had the highest yield of 8.32 tons/ha compared to plants applied with 75% of the organic fertilizers only (5.24 tons/ha). The farmer's practice (100% urea and MOP) + 500 ml/ha Pyraclostrobin has comparable yield of 7.16 tons/ha while plots side dressed with 100% inorganic fertilizers only yielded at 5.45 tons/ha. Plants side dressed with 50% urea and MOP + 500 ml/ha Pyraclostrobin also gave comparable yield of 6.85 tons/ha compared to plants side dressed with 50% urea and MOP only (5.37 tons/ha). Plants provided with basal application of fertilizer had the lowest yield of 4.02 tons/ha. Pyraclostrobin fungicide did not influence the incidence and severity of diseases. Very low incidence of diseases in all plots was noted during the conduct of the study.