Foliar fungicide applications have now become common in corn production, and are often applied aerially by fixed-wing or helicopter applicators. Many fields in Kentucky are small and/or bordered by trees, limiting the ability to apply fungicides with commercial aerial application units. Drone applications may be a viable option for application of fungicides in these type of fields. On-farm research trials were established in Adair, Green, and Taylor Counties in conjunction with the County Agents to examine the impact of drone-applied foliar fungicides in comparison to non-treated controls. Fields were sprayed at the silking growth stages with fungicide, and non-treated strips were included for efficacy and economic comparison. Foliar disease severity and yield data were collected, and economic data were used to determine return on investment of foliar fungicide application. In all locations, disease severity data indicated that fungicide applied by drone reduced disease severity, indicating that this application method was effective at delivering fungicide to the target area of corn. Disease severity was low in Adair and Greene Counties, and fungicide did not produce an economically positive yield response. In Taylor County, foliar disease severity was higher, and fungicide application resulted in a 22.8 bu/A yield response compared to the non-treated control. This research indicates that drone-applied fungicides can be a viable method for fungicide applications in corn. A media summary was created through Agriculture Communications Service and can be accessed here:

https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/uk-study-shows-promise-drone-fungicide-applications

This release had an earned media value of $190,142.93 and ran in the following publications, among others: Kentucky Forward, Kentucky Ag Connection, Agropages, SeedQuest, Farm Progress, The Corn and Soybean Digest, Southeast Farm Press, Southwest Farm Press, Delta Farm Press, Farm Industry News, Travelin’ the Bluegrass, British Crop Production Council, News Now (United Kingdom), Mid-America Farmer Grower