Penicillium on corn, stink bugs on soybeans Some of the
southwest Missouri corn fields are showing signs of penicillium
ear rot, and the biggest concern for soybeans right now are
stink bugs. Brie Menjoulet, agronomy specialist with University
of Missouri Extension in Hickory County, scouted fields in
southwest Barton County between Lamar and Nashville on Aug. 24.
Corn fields scouted ranged from dent stage to maturity.
Penicillium ear rot was found in all the fields scouted this
week. Corn earworms were found in several ears of the dent-stage
corn. "Because corn earworm feeding damage can increase the
chances for penicillium to infect the ears, management
strategies that help control corn earworm populations and
damage, such as variety selection, tillage practices, and crop
rotation, may help reduce infection of penicillium in next
year's crop," said Menjoulet. Soybeans scouted this week were in
full bloom to R3 pod development stages. "Nearly all plants
looked healthy and feeding damage from insects remains