Corn Disease Update

Dr. Carl A. Bradley, UK Extension Plant Pathologist

Figure 1.  Lesions of northern leaf
blight on a corn leaf
(Photo: Carl Bradley, UK).

With the recent rainfall received in the state, conditions have become more favorable for some foliar corn diseases that are now being observed. UK Plant Pathology interns have been scouting corn fields in western Kentucky for the past few weeks, and they have been observing northern leaf blight, gray leaf spot, common rust, and Diplodia leaf streak. As of July 12, southern rust has not yet been identified by UK Plant Pathology personnel in the state. Below are my thoughts about these diseases and the use of foliar fungicides to manage these diseases.

For more information on Corn Disease in KY see the article on Kentucky Pest New