As farmers prepare for the 2026 growing season, the focus is shifting strongly toward operational efficiency, cost-effective passes, and making the most of every field application. One opportunity gaining significant attention is the sidedress window — a stage traditionally used for nutrient delivery but now recognized as an ideal moment to pair fertilizer with a fungicide application. Combining these two practices helps maximize input value, enhance plant health, and prevent disease without adding extra field trips, improving both efficiency and return on investment.
Understanding the Importance of the Sidedress Window
Why Sidedress Is Becoming a Key Application Stage
The sidedress period has become increasingly valuable because it allows growers to apply nutrients and proactive plant protection simultaneously. With foliar diseases appearing earlier and developing low in the canopy, waiting for symptoms can be risky. Once visible damage appears, reactive fungicides may already be too late to stop yield loss.
This makes early fungicide application—especially systemic formulations—a strategic advantage during sidedressing. Pairing fungicides with nutrient applications improves disease prevention, reduces labor, and strengthens overall crop performance.
Rising Disease Pressure That Demands Early Protection
Key Foliar Diseases Creating Challenges
Several foliar diseases are surfacing earlier in the season, driving the shift toward fungicide use during sidedress:
- Gray leaf spot
- Northern corn leaf blight
- Common rust
These diseases can begin developing in the lower canopy before symptoms become noticeable. By the time growers react, the damage may already be impacting yield potential. Using a systemic fungicide during sidedressing ensures that protection begins early and stays active as the plant develops.
Xyway® LFR® Fungicide: A Strong Fit for Sidedress Applications
How Xyway LFR Enhances Efficiency and Plant Health
Xyway® LFR® fungicide has emerged as a top choice for growers incorporating fungicides into their sidedress strategy. Designed to blend seamlessly with liquid fertilizer, it is applied near the root zone where it is absorbed by the plant and moves upward through the xylem.
Its “inside-out” activity delivers multiple benefits:
- Strong suppression of foliar diseases
- Improved water and nutrient efficiency
- Support for stronger plant development
- Early protection against crown rot and stalk rot, two soilborne threats that often remain hidden until late in the season
Because these diseases infect early and offer no late-season rescue options, early systemic protection is critical.
Research Findings: Sidedress Applications Prove Effective
Purdue University Trial Results
In 2024, Purdue University conducted field research evaluating V6 sidedress applications of Xyway LFR fungicide. Their findings revealed:
- Sidedress applications performed equally well as at-plant treatments.
- Average yield advantage exceeded 8 bushels per acre.
- Disease suppression remained strong even without a follow-up foliar fungicide.
- Late-season disease pressure — especially tar spot — was significantly lower.
These results confirmed that sidedress application is a practical option for growers whose planters cannot support starter fertilizer or off-the-row application systems.
Updated Label Guidance and Application Timing
New Usage Flexibility for Growers
The updated Xyway LFR fungicide label now permits sidedress applications through V6 growth stage and up to 15 inches off the row. Even with this flexibility, timing remains essential.
Earlier uptake ensures:
- More reliable disease protection
- Longer-lasting systemic activity
- A stronger, more resilient crop throughout the season
Growers using fungicides during sidedressing should still aim to apply as early in the growth cycle as possible for optimal results.
Making Every Field Pass Count
Maximizing ROI Through Combined Applications
Whether growers are applying nitrogen, potassium, or other nutrients, each trip across the field should be evaluated for its return-on-investment potential. Adding a fungicide such as Xyway LFR can:
- Safeguard crops from early-season infections
- Improve plant strength and productivity
- Reduce the need for additional field passes
- Provide season-long benefits for plant health and yield stability
Strategic fungicide use during sidedressing ensures that crop protection starts early — before disease takes hold.