We are entering the time window in Kansas when corn producers should be scouting fields and assessing the need for a foliar fungicide application. Several fields in eastern Kansas are approaching the V14-VT (tassel) development stage.
Now is the time to be out scouting for the following fungal diseases of corn:
- Southern Rust (Figure 1, left)
- Common Rust (Figure 1, right)
- Gray Leaf Spot (Figure 2)
- Tar Spot (Figure 3)
Southern rust scouting. Southern rust is typically first reported in Kansas in mid-July. Pustules appear on the upper leaf surface, unlike common rust, which can be found on either side of the leaf (Figure 1). The pustules are scattered on the leaf surface, and spores appear orange and rub off on fingers (and clothes!). Severe infections can be seen on the leaf sheaths.
Figure 1. Typical symptoms of southern rust (left) and common rust (right). Photo courtesy of Rodrigo Borba Onofre, Department of Plant Pathology, K-State Research and Extension.
Gray leaf spot scouting. Begin scouting for gray leaf spot in corn about two weeks before expected tassel emergence. Gray leaf spot is characterized by rectangular lesions that are 1-2 inches long and cover the entire area between the leaf veins (Figure 2). Early lesions are small, necrotic spots with yellow halos that gradually expand to full-sized lesions. Lesions are usually tan in color but may turn gray during foggy or rainy conditions. The key diagnostic feature is that the lesions are usually very rectangular in shape.
Figure 2. Gray leaf spot lesions are rectangular in shape and delimited by leaf veins. Photo courtesy of Rodrigo Onofre, Department of Plant Pathology, K-State Research and Extension.
Tar spot scouting. Tar spot is now active in several corn fields in the northeast corner of Kansas. To date, it has been reported in Atchison, Doniphan, Jefferson, and Nemaha counties in Kansas. Tar spot lesions are black, raised, and have a round/elliptical shape (Figure 3). Irrigated corn may be at particularly high risk for yield or silage loss.
More information on tar spot is available in a separate article in this eUpdate issue.
Figure 3. Tar spot of corn. Purple arrows are indicating a few of the tar spot lesions. Photo courtesy of Rodrigo Onofre, Department of Plant Pathology, K-State Research and Extension.
For confirmation of tar spot, please submit samples to the K-State Plant Pathology Diagnostic Clinic at https://www.plantpath.k-state.edu/extension/plant-disease-diagnostic-lab/
Factors that influence corn yield response to fungicide applications
Research clearly demonstrates that the single best time to apply a fungicide to corn for gray leaf spot control is from VT to R1. First applications for tar spot disease management should be between V10 to VT growth stages, and, if needed, a second fungicide application should be between R1 to R3 growth stages. A single application at V6 – V8 will not hold up against late-season pressure. A VT to R3 growth stage fungicide application may also provide suppression of southern rust. Some fungicides that are good to excellent for gray leaf spot are also very good for tar spot and southern rust control. Summaries of multi-year university research about fungicide efficacy can be found here:
Disease risk factors to consider when weighing the benefits of a fungicide application
Susceptibility level of corn hybrid. Seed companies typically provide information on the susceptibility of their hybrids to tar spot, gray leaf spot, and southern rust. In general, hybrids that are more susceptible to fungal foliar diseases will have a greater response to a foliar fungicide (if disease pressure is high enough).
Previous crop. Because tar spot and gray leaf spot survive in corn residue, the risk of disease increases when corn is planted back into a field that was in corn the previous year. Fields with a history of gray leaf spot and tar spot should be closely scouted. Southern rust, on the other hand, blows in from the south each year. It is important to watch regional updates about southern rust pressure in the state.
Weather. Rainy and/or humid weather generally is most favorable to gray leaf spot. In growing seasons, when these conditions prevail, the risk for disease development increases. Southern rust is favored by warm days and nights (> 80 degrees) and high humidity. Tar spot is favored by mild temperatures (60F to 73F), high relative humidity (>75%), and a prolonged leaf wetness period (>7h).
Field history. Some field locations may have a history of high foliar disease severity. Fields in river bottoms or low areas or surrounded by trees may be more prone to having gray leaf spot.
If no disease is present or pressure is low, I recommend holding off on the VT-R1 application since efficacy will begin to wane in three to four weeks, just as late-season pressure may begin to develop. Data suggests that if disease pressure begins to develop later, an R2 application can be economical and will provide protection later into the grain fill period. This later application could also protect against any late-season southern rust pressure.
Distinguishing between gray leaf spot and bacterial streak
Bacterial streak, identified as a new corn disease in the U.S. in 2016, is now active in most of western Kansas. While yield loss potential for this disease remains unknown, we do know that it can be misidentified as gray leaf spot, resulting in unwarranted fungicide applications. Fungicides will not have any effect on bacterial streak. Remember that gray leaf spot typically has very sharp edges defined by the leaf veins, whereas bacterial streak will have a wavy edge that can cross the leaf vein (Figure 4). Also, when backlit with light, gray leaf spot lesions will have an opaque appearance, while bacterial streak lesions are more translucent (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Comparison of sharp-edged gray leaf spot lesions (right) with wavy-edged bacterial streak lesions (left). Photo courtesy of the University of Nebraska.
Rodrigo Onofre, Plant Pathology Row Crop Specialist
onofre@ksu.edu
Tags: corn disease fungicides fungal disease