Southern Corn Leaf Blight

Photo of author
Written By TheCropSite News Desk

© Purdue University, Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory

Pathogen(s) causing disease:

Bipolaris maydis

Location:

Corn growing areas of the world. Infections are most serious in warm, temperate and tropical areas.

Symptoms:

Small (1/8-1/4 in), oblong leaf lesions with rounded ends and parallel sides. Lesions are commonly tan with brownish borders, appearing first on lower leaves (Race O).

Conditions:

Favored by extended warm, wet, humid weather, minimum tillage, and continuous corn.

Management:

Resistant hybrids. Foliar fungicides may be useful in seed production fields. Cleanly plow under infected residue. Crop rotation.

Sources:

Purdue University
University of Illinois

Leave a Comment