Tar spot of corn: A new threat to Kansas corn
Tar spot of corn has been officially detected for the first time in Kansas. Two counties in northeast Kansas have confirmed cases of tar spot. Tar spot was first detected in the US in 2015 and has quickly spread thoughout the Midwest. Now is the critical time to identify fields with tar spot as these locations could be at a higher risk for 2023.
Tar spot of corn is now confirmed in five counties in Kansas
Tar spot of corn has now been confirmed in five counties in northeast Kansas. Tar spot lesions are black, raised and have a round/elliptical shape. This pathogen can survive in crop residue. Producers are encouraged to scout any standing corn fields. Fields with confirmed causes should be harvested last if possible to mitigate disease spread.
Tar spot of corn has arrived in Kansas this season
Tar spot of corn, a disease caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis, was confirmed in several fields in Doniphan County, Kansas on June 26, 2023. Corn growers should intensify scouting efforts. This article discusses several frequently asked questions about this new disease in Kansas. Early detection and timely fungicide treatment are critical to maximizing control of tar spot.
Tar spot of corn is now confirmed in four counties in Kansas
Tar spot of corn, a disease caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis, has now been confirmed in four counties in Kansas. Producers in northeast Kansas should be actively scouting their corn fields. To learn what to look for and what fungicide options are available, check out this article from Row Crop Disease Specialist, Rodrigo Onofre.
Tar Spot of corn is confirmed in five counties in Kansas
Tar spot of corn has been confirmed in five counties in Kansas. Fungicides are an effective tool for controlling tar spot if applied at the appropriate time. A well-timed, informed fungicide application will be important to reduce disease severity when it is needed. Learn more about if and when a fungicide application will be beneficial.
Update on tar spot of corn - August 10, 2023
Tar spot is now active in all Kansas counties previously reported during the 2022 season, which was first detected late in the season on Sept. 15, 2022. Tar spot prevalence and severity seem to be much higher than in the 2022 season. Now is a critical time to identify fields with tar spot as these locations may be at higher risk for the disease next year.
Tar Spot of corn is confirmed in double the counties in Kansas from last season
Tar spot of corn continues to spread in northeast Kansas. To date, it has been confirmed in 12 counties, twice the number from when it was first detected in Kansas late last season. Tar spot prevalence and severity are much higher than in the 2022 season. Before harvest is a critical time to identify fields with tar spot.
Low levels of Tar Spot have been confirmed in Kansas
Low levels of tar spot has been confirmed in several corn fields in Doniphan and Atchison counties in Kansas. These are the first documents reports of tar spot in the U.S. for this growing season. Now is the time to intensify scouting efforts. Once significant disease pressure is in the upper canopy, a fungicide application may be too late.
Update - Tar Spot is now active in four counties in northeast Kansas
Tar spot has been confirmed in several fields spread across four counties in the northeast corner of Kansas. Producers in or near this region need to intensify scouting efforts. Recent rainfall has likely helped promote disease development. Fungicide applications are most effective when done at the proper time and before disease pressure is high.
Tar Spot is active in five counties in northeast Kansas
Tar spot is active in corn fields across five counties in northeast Kansas. Now is the time to intensify scouting efforts. Fungicide applications are most effective when applied within a specific window of corn growth stage. The K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab is offering free testing for tar spot during the 2024 growing season.