Gray leaf spot in corn

As the new year kicks off, so should your disease management plan. Although disease pressure varies from year to year and even region to region, you can reflect on the past year to gain insight for the 2021 season.

According to researchers at the Illinois University Extension, there are 3 things that need to be present at the same time and place for a disease to develop:

1. A pathogen able to cause disease.
2. A susceptible plant host.
3. A favorable environment.

By looking at which yield-robbing diseases could overwinter and appear again this season, you can get ahead of this formula for infection. While you arrange your disease management plan, consider this overview of 2020 diseases:

• Tar spot is capable of spreading quickly and was reported in several southern IN counties in 2020. According to researchers with the Purdue University Extension, yield losses of 20-60 bu/A have occurred in severely infected fields.
• In 2020, multiple counties tested positive for Southern rust across AR, KY, LA and MS. Southern rust was observed surprisingly early last corn season, so you may want to keep an eye out for this disease in 2021.
• According to plant pathologists with the University of Tennessee, gray leaf spot is one of the most common foliar diseases in the state. University of Missouri researchers say this disease is often more severe in corn following corn and can cause completely blighted leaves and premature plant death.

For harder-working, longer-lasting preventive and curative control of yield-reducing corn diseases, we recommend Trivapro® fungicide. With 3 powerhouse active ingredients, Trivapro provides consistent disease control and dependable plant-health benefits for increased yield and ROI potential.

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