Hot, humid weather has many corn diseases on the rise across
Nebraska (and other states). Growers need to keep watch for corn
disease development, says Tamra Jackson, a University of
Nebraska-Lincoln Extension plant pathologist. "There are quite a
few diseases out there," she says. Gray leaf spot, anthracnose
leaf blight and common rust are fungi-caused diseases developing
now across the state. However, it is important to make an
accurate diagnosis as some of these diseases are being mimicked
by some bacterial diseases, such as Goss' wilt and blight and
bacterial stalk rot. "Making an accurate diagnosis is critical
to avoid making unnecessary fungicide applications," Jackson
says. When it comes to gray leaf spot, corn growers need to look
for small, gray and rectangular lesions, which will start at the
bottom of the plant and work their way up. "Some people may
consider spraying a fungicide, which is especially critical on
susceptible hybrids," Jackson says. "So, be sure to look at your
companies' catalogs an