Each BRL1 invested in fungicides can yield more than BRL4, points out DigiFarmz

On average, each BRL1 invested in fungicides resulted in a profitability return of BRL4.25 per wheat crop, according to research released exclusively to AgroPages by the digital platform DigiFarmz Smart Agriculture.

PhD Ricardo Balardin and MSc Leonardo Furlani

Coordinated by PhD Ricardo Balardin and MSc Leonardo Furlani, the study analyzed 119 DigiFarmz trials with fungicides in 52 cultivars from eight breeders over the past three seasons in southern Brazil. 

According to the researchers, this result is a general average and can vary significantly due to various factors. The ROI (Return on Investment) values varied greatly, with some negative numbers to profitability values exceeding BRL 6 per BRL 1 invested.

"The cultivar used is one of the parameters that most influence the return on fungicides, with a significant variation between disease susceptibility and fungicide behavior," Furlani explained. 

He further highlighted that the relationship between cultivars and fungicides is a productivity gap explored within DigiFarmz's agricultural software algorithms.

Other factors affecting ROI include the chosen fungicide, application timing, weather conditions, and the presence and severity of diseases in the crop. According to the studies, a single fungicide application in the crop had an average ROI of 2.91, while two applications yielded an ROI of 2.69. 

The data also showed that profitability tends to increase with the number of applications, with three applications achieving an ROI of 3.48 and four applications offering the highest average return of 4.57. Five applications also showed a high ROI of 4.30, while six applications resulted in an ROI of 4.00.

"Although, on average, four fungicide applications showed the highest economic return, some cultivars achieved better results with three, five, and even six applications in certain cases," Furlani pointed out. 

According to the specialist, the variations highlighted the importance of customizing the fungicide application program in wheat according to the specific conditions of each crop.

Furlani indicated that the key factors for the application’s success are the choice of cultivar, product type and effectiveness, and crop characteristics. The researchers emphasized that while general trends can guide producers, the individualized analysis of conditions and needs of each crop is essential to maximize benefits. 

"Each crop, cultivar, and environment requires a personalized strategy, and this attention to detail can transform the profit potential for wheat producers," Furlani said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)

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