Management Practices from the Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest Show Fungicide Active Ingredients Drive Wheat Yield Gains in Kentucky: An Observational Study

Abstract Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is a vital commodity crop in Kentucky, and understanding factors that influence wheat yield in farmers’ fields is essential for optimizing productivity. In this study, we analyzed real‐world observations from the Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest alongside a brief literature review to assess the impact of various management practices on wheat yields in high‐yielding fields in the state. Specifically, we examined the effects of N fertilizer rate and timing, tillage, plant growth regulators, fungicide a.i.s and their application timing, and insecticides. Our findings indicate that the applied N fertilizer rates and timing had little to no effect on yield increases. Tillage practices (tilled vs. no‐till) showed no significant differences, except for slightly higher variability in no‐till systems. Plant growth regulators and insecticides influenced wheat yield, with effects observed in 6 of 10 years. Our analysis identified fungicide applications as the most influential factor contributing to yield increases in wheat, with two or more fungicide a.i.s applied at anthesis resulting in yields 17 bu ac −1 higher than those with one fungicide a.i. or none at all. These results suggest that although several management practices may contribute to wheat yield, fungicide application at anthesis plays a crucial role in achieving higher yields in Kentucky.