Reno, Nevada
December 12, 2007
Results of aerial spray
coverage study presented at Ag Aviators Convention
Dr. Gary Fellows, technical
manager with BASF,
addressed the National Agricultural Aviators Association (NAAA)
at their annual convention this week to present the results of a
study by BASF and university experts on the spray coverage of
aerially applied fungicide in corn.
The study, conducted in Iowa, Nebraska and Louisiana corn fields
this summer, looked at how low-volume aerial applications impact
spray coverage in the corn canopy. Testing of this kind is part
of ongoing research by BASF to help improve the success of
aerial fungicide applications.
“The preliminary findings indicate that when water per acre
applied is lowered, calibration and accuracy become more
important to ensure excellent coverage,” said Dr. Fellows.
“That’s important because we want to help aerial applicators
deliver the maximum value to their customers of Headline®
fungicide in corn while being able to take full advantage of the
efficiencies of the lower volume label.”
In 2006, a supplemental Headline fungicide label was approved by
the Environmental Protection Agency to allow a lower water
volume of 2 gallons per acre (GPA) in aerial application, down
from the original requirement of 5 GPA.
The findings presented at the NAAA convention are based on tests
by the technical team at BASF that included spray cards placed
at multiple levels (flag leaf, ear leaf and bottom leaves)
within the crop canopy and analyzed
for spray droplet distribution. Spray card analysis was done by
Dr. Bob Klein at the University of Nebraska and Dr. Barbossa at
Louisiana State University.
Dyes, including a fluorescent dye, were added to the spray tank
to examine droplet distribution and spray coverage on the cards.
Black light illumination exposed the fluorescent dye, allowing
coverage to be visually examined. Photos under black light
illumination from the corn trials were shown at the NAAA
session.
Better spray coverage means increased efficiency for
applicators. Dr. Fellows notes that is critical as more and more
corn acres are treated with Headline fungicide – making the
application window a very busy time for agricultural aviators.
“Providing the best possible coverage fosters healthy plant
growth. That’s the best way corn growers can maximize their
yield and get the most out of an application of Headline,” said
Dr. Fellows.
Aerial applicators across the country reported a significant
increase in grower demand for applying Headline fungicide for
outstanding disease control with Plant Health benefits in corn
during the 2007 season.
”We had an astronomical increase in demand for aerial
applications this year, from 8,000 to 80,000 acres, and I think
we’ll see another big increase in 2008,” said Craig Bair with Ag
Flight, Inc., who aerially applies crops in the
York, Nebraska area. “Customers that treated half their corn
acres with Headline this year are saying they’ll treat all of
their acres next year.”
In 2007, grower results with Headline applied to corn were
similar to previous years – averaging yield increases of 12 – 16
bu/A, with many growers reporting even larger yield increases.
Disease control has been excellent with all timings, leading to
increased tolerance to stresses and more efficient use of water
and nutrients by corn plants. Corn was standing better at
harvest due to stronger, less diseased stalks, resulting in a
faster, more efficient harvest.
Headline is the most researched
fungicide on the market and has shown a yield advantage in more
than 5,000 on-farm field trials covering more than one-quarter
of a million acres.
Dr. Fellows applauded the work of the NAAA and its members in
helping American agriculture produce record yields. “Aerial
application of crop protection products is essential to
increasing the output of American agriculture and meeting the
demand for corn and soybeans. The NAAA led the way – doing a
tremendous amount of work to ensure that happened in 2007 and
will again in 2008.”
In addition, Bair and Dr. Fellows are both on the development
committee for the NAAA’s Professional Aerial Applicator Support
System (PAASS) program. The goal of this program is to reduce
the number of aviation accidents and drift incidents associated
with the aerial application of fertilizers and crop protection
products through educational programs.
Bringing industry expertise to the committee, Dr. Fellows sees
the results of the spray coverage study he presented as a
contributor towards that education process.
For more information about Headline fungicide and other BASF
crop protection products, visit
www.agproducts.basf.com.
BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products
you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®
With sales of €3,079 million in 2006, BASF’s Agricultural
Products division is a leader in crop protection and a strong
partner to the farming industry providing well established and
innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use
these products and services to improve crop yields and crop
quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest
control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and
forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market
success. The vision of BASF’s Agricultural Products division is
to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural
production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality
of life for a growing world population. Further information can
be found on the web at
www.agro.basf.com.
BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North
American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF
employs more than 15,500 in North America and had sales of
approximately $14.3 billion in 2006. For more information about
BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news
releases by
e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.
BASF is the world’s leading
chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges
from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural
products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a
reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s high-value
products and intelligent system solutions help its customers to
be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them
to meet the challenges of the future and open up additional
market opportunities. It combines economic success with
environmental protection and social responsibility, thus
contributing to a better future. BASF has approximately 95,000
employees and posted sales of €52.6 billion (approximately $66.1
billion) in 2006. Further information on BASF is available on
the Internet at www.basf.com.
Always read and follow label directions.
Headline is a registered trademark of BASF. |
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