Southern rust has now been detected in Kansas and Nebraska (Figure 1). Unlike some other corn diseases, such as gray leaf spot, southern rust does not survive in Kansas during winter months and blows in annually from more tropical regions. The earlier it arrives, the higher the risk to the Kansas corn crop.
Figure 1. Southern corn rust (Puccinia polyspora) in Kansas and surrounding states as of July 16, 2020. Source: https://corn.ipmpipe.org/southerncornrust/.
Here are some common questions related to managing southern rust in Kansas:
Q1. Should I apply a fungicide prior to observing southern rust?
A1. It is not recommended to apply a fungicide to control southern rust unless disease has been observed in the canopy. Now that southern rust has “arrived” in Kansas, it is time to be out scouting. Once pustules are observed, the pathogen can reproduce rapidly if temperatures and humidity are high.
Q2. What factors should I consider when making the decision to spray for southern rust?
A2. It is important to consider hybrid susceptibility, disease incidence (how many plants are affected), and the growth stage of the crop. Infection early in the season on a susceptible hybrid, coupled with conducive weather conditions, pose the highest risk for yield loss.
Q3. If I applied a foliar fungicide at tasseling (VT) or silking (R1) to control gray leaf spot, will this application have efficacy against southern rust?
A3. Yes. Most fungicides that are labeled for gray leaf spot are also effective for southern rust and will have residual activity for approximately three weeks after application, depending on the product. Fields that have not yet been sprayed should be carefully monitored for disease development. Research has suggested that applications can be effective at preserving yield up until dent (R5) when dealing with a susceptible hybrid and high disease pressure.
Q4. What fungicides are best to control southern rust?
A4. Efficacy ratings for corn fungicide management of southern rust have been compiled by a working group of corn researchers and can be found here: https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/download/5214/
Q5. How do I know if what I’m seeing is southern rust?
A5. Southern rust produces characteristic orange pustules of spores, primarily on the upper side of the leaf (Figure 2). If you run your finger across the pustules, the orange spores will be visible on your hand. The Kansas State Plant Diagnostic Lab can also confirm southern rust by observing spores under the microscope. Additional information about sending in a sample can be found here: https://www.plantpath.k-state.edu/extension/diagnostic-lab/.
Figure 2. Southern rust on corn. Photo courtesy of University of Nebraska, https://cropwatch.unl.edu/plantdisease/corn/southern-rust
For more information on identifying corn rusts, see K-State Research and Extension Bulletin MF3016, Corn Rust Identification and Management in Kansas.
Kelsey Andersen Onofre, Extension Plant Pathologist
andersenk@ksu.edu