Fungicide Use in Alfalfa Production

Fungicides are labeled in alfalfa for up to three applications during the growing season. While we may have three allowances per growing season, even a single fungicide application in the spring can benefit and protect an alfalfa stand. A spring application of fungicide is generally the best time to treat alfalfa, as spring is when we face the most disease pressure with cool, wet conditions in the field. Fungicides can also tank mix with Roundup® herbicide and insecticides. When you go to do your spring field clean-up to relieve weed and insect pressure, add in a fungicide to help protect your alfalfa crop from disease pressure.
What to Know Before You Spray
First crop? You’re in luck. Studies show on average the first crop or harvest provides a higher percent yield response rate to fungicide application than for later crops.
Consider your climate. Trials show the wetter the climate the better the chance of achieving a profitable response to fungicide application.
Apply fungicide at the right canopy height. It’s ideal to treat first crop alfalfa at 6- to 8-inch canopy height as this will take advantage of its longer regrowth period before harvest.
Know your goals. Applying fungicides will help achieve increased yields but will not necessarily increase forage quality.
For more information regarding fungicide use in alfalfa or America’s Alfalfa, contact your local America’s Alfalfa distributor.
12, Brian Lang | Feb. “Does It Pay to Spray Fungicide on Alfalfa?” Farm Progress, 9 Dec. 2018, https://www.farmprogress.com/forage/does-it-pay-spray-fungicide-alfalfa.
Subscribe to the Advisor Newsletter
Sign up for monthly agronomic insights and product information.
Get the latest insights and tips from – directly to your inbox. Subscribe to the Advisor e-newsletter.
- Keeping you up to date on the latest news, information and agronomic tips in the industry, national and local.
- Interviews with the some of the most talented agronomists in the country.
- Proprietary research updates from our WU labs.
- Delivered to your inbox 2x a month.
By signing up for WinField United emails, you agree to receive promotional information from WinField United. The emails will contain valuable agronomic insights, the latest WinField United product information and field updates. For more information about our privacy policy, please review it here.