By FMC

Seed germination and seedling emergence are the most important and vulnerable phases of a corn crop cycle. Throughout these phases, soilborne and foliar pests and diseases can seriously impair a crop’s ability to reach its full yield potential. Studies conducted by universities, including the University of Illinois, have found just one node of root damage can cause yield losses of up to 15%. To address these challenges and help preserve yields, management approaches are shifting to provide crop protection from day one.

At-Plant is a proactive management strategy that brings together inputs such as crop protection, seed and others, at planting to create a strong early-season defense against seedling insects, soil diseases and weather challenges. These measures ensure growers get the most out of every plant in their fields from the start.

Uniform emergence

Good uniform emergence starts in the seedbed. Root development and emergence are highly influenced by insect pests and environmental conditions conducive for seedling diseases. At-Plant applications of chemistries and nutrients provide the crop with a solid foundation, helping to protect against early stressors that may stunt growth. Strong germination and root development promote strong seedling emergence, ultimately leading to a uniform stand to help crops reach their full yield potential.

Optimized performance

At-Plant crop protection applications ensure growers are applying solutions with nearly pinpoint accuracy and optimizing crop coverage. By using the planter equipped with At-Plant capabilities as the application system, growers can deliver a uniform stream of liquid crop protection that is controlled to regulate the amount flowing into the furrow or off the seed. The flow is accurate and precise so every row gets the same amount of protection.

Complete coverage is another area where an At-Plant approach can help growers optimize application performance. For example, to ensure a foliar fungicide is as effective as possible, it needs to penetrate the canopy and generate good leaf contact. Doing this via aerial application can be challenging. But with an At-Plant fungicide, the product is taken up through the roots and translocated throughout the plant. Coverage reaches the lower part of the canopy, which is typically not reached by foliar fungicides, to help protect the area vulnerable to early-season foliar diseases like Northern corn leaf blight and gray leaf spot.

Crop physiological benefits

With an At-Plant crop protection solution that goes out with the planter, crops get started off on the right foot. In the instance of Xyway^® brand fungicides, they protect a corn crop from the early onset of disease and help build a healthier plant that can stand up to a variety of foliar diseases later in the season. These fungicides not only protect a corn crop from key foliar diseases but also generate physiological benefits that help develop healthier, better performing and higher yielding plants. Research trials utilizing Xyway brand fungicides found positive crop physiological effects, including enhanced water movement, root growth and development, nutrient uptake and physiological development.

At-Plant is a unique and evolving approach to manage soilborne and foliar diseases and pests. By starting at the beginning of the season, growers can proactively protect their crop all season long, not just when diseases or pests are present, to reach their full yield potential.

To learn more about At-Plant and how to help growers protect their crops from day one, visit ag.fmc.com.

LEGAL: Always read and follow all label directions, precautions and restrictions for use. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states. FMC, the FMC logo and Xyway are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2023 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 23-FMC-0996 06/23