While side-dressing is primarily used for nutrient delivery, there’s a valuable opportunity at-hand: fungicide application. By pairing a fungicide with a side-dress application, growers can proactively protect plant health and stay ahead of foliar disease pressure — without making an extra trip.
Driving this need for a fungicide in the side-dress window are foliar diseases like gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight and common rust. These diseases are emerging earlier and developing in the lower canopy. By the time symptoms are visible, reactive fungicides may be too late to prevent yield loss. Proactively applying a fungicide, especially a systemic solution, during the sidedress window can deliver a clear advantage against these yield robbers.
Xyway® LFR® fungicide is one fungicide proven to integrate well with sidedress applications. Formulated to mix easily with liquid fertilizer, it can and should be applied near the root zone, where it’s taken up by the plant and translocated through the xylem. This inside-out activity not only mitigates foliar disease but bolsters overall plant development by improving water and nutrient use efficiency. Early uptake also supports protection against crown and stalk rots — two soilborne threats that infect plants early and remain hidden for much of the season, without any late season rescue options.
In 2024, Purdue University researchers evaluated this strategy in field trials, testing sidedress applications of Xyway LFR fungicide at the V6 growth stage. These trials showed sidedressed applications performed just as well as At-Plant fungicide treatments, both in terms of yield and disease suppression, with an average yield advantage of more than 8 bushels per acre. Additionally, even without a follow-up foliar fungicide, late-season disease pressure, particularly tar spot, was significantly reduced. These findings validated sidedress as a viable application method for growers whose planters aren’t equipped for starter fertilizer or off-the-row application systems to apply Xyway LFR fungicide.
Recently updated to include sidedress use, the Xyway LFR fungicide label allows for application in corn through V6 and up to 15 inches off the row; however, application timing remains critical. While sidedress applications can be highly effective, earlier uptake generally provides more consistent, longer-lasting disease protection. Growers planning to apply a fungicide with sidedressing should still aim to treat as early as possible in the crop’s growth cycle to get the most from the fungicide’s systemic benefits.
Whether a sidedress pass is focused on nitrogen, potassium or other nutrients, every trip across the field needs to be evaluated for added return-on-investment potential. By including a fungicide, like Xyway LFR fungicide, into this pass, corn growers can protect their crops from disease before it takes hold and support the growth of stronger, healthier plants all season long.
Want to learn more about Xyway LFR fungicide for use in a side-dress application? Visit xyway.ag.fmc.com to see how it can be a fit.
