Foliar fertilizer helps control corn leafhopper

The utilization of Fulltec S Max showed high synergism when associated with insecticides conventional methods, increasing corn leafhopper control by 26,1%, reduced the plant lodging by 31,9% and increased crop productivity by 5,1 bags per hectare, on average, in relation to the standard treatment. Fulltec S Max is an innovative premium foliar fertilizer that improves application quality and, in small doses, it reestablishes the state of nutritional balance and physiological, which is considered one of the main factors responsible for triggering plants' natural defense mechanisms against stress biotic and abiotic. Insect pest management is an important resource for maintenance of the productive potential and high productivity of the crop corn. The cigarhopper (Dalbulus maidis) is an insect vector of pathogens, or In other words, it does not cause significant damage directly, but indirectly. The damage is caused when the pest, during the feeding process, plays the role transmitter of the pathogens that cause pale and red stunting corn, and the thin streak and lodging virus. Bedding is a consequence of smaller root system and softening of the stem at the base resulting from infection by Molicutes and other pathogens, such as Pythium, Fusarium e gibberella. Other common symptoms are reddening of leaves, proliferation of ears small, malformed and flat grains, smaller plants (shortening of internodes), reduction in the absorption of water and nutrients, lower production of photoassimilated, stunting caused by microorganisms of the class Molicutes, known as spiroplasmas (pale stunted Spiroplasma kunkelii) and phytoplasmas (red stunting due to Maize Bushy Stunt). The great challenge in managing the leafhopper, among others, lies in the low effect residue of insecticides, since corn, in the vegetative phase, emits leaves new ones constantly, and reinfestations of the pest end up requiring spraying frequent. Symptoms of stunting are noticed late, but the presence of the leafhopper can occur from the first stages of development of the corn. The sooner the plant is attacked and infected, the greater the damage caused to culture. In this context, the association of insecticides with Fulltec S Max is an excellent tool to improve handling. Fulltec S Max It has two mechanisms of action on pests: dislodging and fumigant. Those effects result in greater movement of the pest and consequently greater contact and ingestion of the insecticide. Fulltec S Max means nutrition, greater natural defense of plants and better application quality. Very formulation stable and soluble, high technology and biodegradable that acts in the processes physiological characteristics of plants, with positive impacts on productivity, Fulltec S Max performs essential functions in plant development, such as the formation of the amino acids cysteine, cystine and methionine, thus being present in all vegetable proteins. Furthermore, it provides elements that are part of the composition of coenzymes and vitamins essential for energy metabolism and synthesis of organic compounds. The use of high potential hybrids genetics associated with sustainable development requires innovative and disruptors like the Fulltec S Max.

Goal

Evaluate the effect of Fulltec S Max, Twin Pack Max and Cubo IR associated with conventional insecticides in the management of cigarhopper (Dalbulus maidis) and the productivity of corn crops.

Materials and methods

The experiment was conducted by Farm Consultoría & Investigación Agronómica in Colonia Yguazú, Alto Paraná, Paraguay. The 30A37 corn hybrid was used in the test. sown on 3/3/2021 and harvested on 18/8/2021. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, with four replications. The treatments used were (ha-1): producer standard (2.000g atrazine WG + 80g benzoate 10% + 50ml teflubenzuroen 30%), standard + Fulltec S Max (300ml), standard + Fulltec S Max (300ml) + Twin Pack Max (300ml) and standard + Fulltec S Max (300ml) + IR Cube (300ml). Two applications of each treatment were carried out (V4 + V8). The variables analyzed were the number of leafhoppers per plant in five linear meters at eight, 15 and 21 DAA, number of bedded plants in the pre-harvest and productivity. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the Tukey test (p < 0,01).

Results

Fulltec S Max showed high synergism with the insecticides used, increasing the effectiveness in leafhopper management. The average number of the pest per plant at eight, 15 and 21 DAA (Figure 1) in the standard was 5,2, 4,3 and 4,4; for standard + Fulltec S Max, of 4,1, 3,2 and 3,8; for standard + Fulltec S Max + Twin Pack Max, 3,9, 3,2 and 3,2, and for the standard + Fulltec S Max + IR Cube, 3,2, 3,2 and 3,2, respectively, which corresponds to an average reduction of 26,1%. The number of bedded plants for the same treatments was 35,8%, 30,1%, 28,3% and 15%, respectively, which corresponds to an average reduction of 31,9%. The increase in effective control and reduction of lodging was of extreme importance for the maintaining the productive potential of the crop. In this context, in relation to the yield (Figure 2), for productivity (bags/hectare) the result for the standard was 82,8 sc/ha, standard + Fulltec S Max 85,3 sc/ha, standard + Fulltec S Max + Twin Pack Max 88,1 sc/ha and standard + Fulltec S Max + Cubo IR 90,3 sc/ha.

Conclusion

Fulltec S Max, in addition to nourishing plants to maximize their productive potential, proved to be a promising alternative in the management of corn leafhopper, presenting high synergism when associated with conventional insecticides.