P-128 - Developing a fungicide-based program to manage foliar diseases on sweet corn in Florida

Sweet corn production in Florida is challenged by widespread yield-reducing fungal diseases, particularly northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), caused by Exserohilum turcicum, and southern corn leaf blight (SCLB), caused by Bipolaris maydis. Recently, sweet corn growers have reported increasing difficulty in controlling NCLB with fungicides, raising concerns about their efficacy. Despite these challenges, science-based recommendations for managing foliar diseases in Florida sweet corn remain limited. Thus, this study aims to develop an effective chemical control program for managing NCLB and SCLB in sweet corn. A fungicide efficacy trial was conducted in Spring 2025 using a randomized complete block design with five replicates per treatment. Each experimental unit consisted of two 25-ft-long rows of the hybrid sweet corn variety Anthem XR. Eight treatments, consisting of two to four fungicide applications at different growth stages (V3-R1), were evaluated: T1) untreated control; T2) grower standard; T3-T5) various combinations of Manzate, Trivapro, Headline Amp, and Revytek; and T6-T8) individual effects of Trivapro, Headline Amp, and Revytek. Disease severity was assessed weekly on the ear leaf once symptoms appeared, and yield data were collected on marketable ears. The findings will provide crucial insights for sweet corn growers in Florida, helping to refine foliar disease management strategies with a focus on NCLB control.