At Soiltech, we’re redefining what it means to be data-driven in the field. While many agronomists already use Soiltech Beacons for insights into weather, irrigation, and growing degree days (GDDs), a growing number of advisors are now unlocking a new tier of agronomic precision: using Beacons to optimize spray applications.
Whether it’s protecting yield in high-pressure zones or avoiding unnecessary passes in low-risk fields, Beacons are helping agronomists fine-tune spray timing based on real-time conditions—above and below ground.
Here’s how trusted agronomic advisors are using Soiltech to save growers money while improving application outcomes.
Soil GDDs: Target the Window When Nematodes Are Vulnerable
Spraying based on the calendar or last year’s records might have been the norm—but it’s no longer the most efficient path. Soiltech Beacons track soil growing degree days (GDDs) at root zone depth, enabling hyper-targeted nematicide applications.
“1,400 growing degree days (1,440 to be exact) triggers the juvenile root knot nematode stage – a time when they’re most susceptible to treatment,” says Britt Beene, a Territory Manager and agronomist with Corteva, who’s used Beacons for five years to help guide Vydate applications in potatoes.
Root knot nematodes thrive in specific temperature windows, with a threshold of 46°F minimum and 86°F maximum. Soiltech Beacons take GDD calculations out of the theoretical and into the real world—with in-field data from the exact zone where your crop is growing.
“The Soiltech data isn’t coming from some weather station in the middle of a pasture somewhere measuring soil temperature,” Beene explains. “This is the real thing in a field measuring potatoes and the soil in that potato field.”
The result? More precise applications, fewer wasted passes, and stronger ROI.
“My growers don’t have to go off a calendar or off what they did last year – it sharpens up the timing,” says Beene. “By taking out the guesswork, we’ve been able to do fewer applications and save growers their spend.”
In-Canopy VPD: Know When to Spray—and When to Hold Back
Above ground, VPD (vapor pressure deficit) is emerging as one of the most actionable metrics in disease management and crop protection. VPD reflects how "dry" the air is by combining temperature and humidity into a single value that indicates how fast plants lose water—and how favorable conditions are for disease.
Mounting Beacons at ear height within the crop canopy gives agronomists an inside view of microclimate conditions that drive the spread of disease like tar spot or gray leaf spot. With real-time data on leaf wetness, humidity, and VPD, you can spray with confidence—or hold off if the threat level is low.
High VPD = air is thirsty → plants lose water faster.
Low VPD = humid air → less drying → canopy stays wet longer = higher disease risk.
Fungicides are most effective before disease symptoms are visible. With VPD insights from Beacons, agronomists can spot risk before it spreads.
A well-timed skip can save $20–$40 per acre. A well-timed spray can protect $50 per acre in yield. For a 5,000-acre corn operation, the math is compelling:
- Avoiding a spray on 2,000 low-risk acres → $70,000 saved
- Spraying at the ideal moment on 3,000 high-risk acres → $150,000 in protected yield
The Bottom Line
The old way of doing things—spraying on a fixed schedule or by gut feel—isn’t just inefficient, it’s expensive. Today’s leading agronomists are turning to field-based data to guide smarter decisions, from soil GDDs for nematicide to in-canopy VPD for fungicide.
Soiltech Beacons aren’t just sensors. They’re decision tools that bridge the gap between agronomic theory and real-world execution—helping advisors like you deliver more value to your growers, one spray pass at a time.
Want help figuring out the best setup for your fields? Let’s talk. Our team is here to make sure you’re getting the most out of every acre.
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