Various stalk rot diseases have been confirmed in samples from corn fields across Nebraska. Stalk rot diseases and the pathogens that cause them are common in corn fields. They can weaken corn stalks leading to stalk lodging, breakage (Figure 1), and harvest difficulties for producers. They can also impact yield if they prematurely kill corn plants. Ears lost due to lodged corn may also create volunteer corn issues during the following year(s). It’s important to be aware of stalk rot incidence in fields to better understand the risk they create for harvest difficulties if plants lodge. In addition, knowing which diseases are present in fields can help producers anticipate, prevent, and manage them in subsequent growing years.
Stalk rot symptoms can be misleading in corn fields
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Figure 5 — Anthracnose stalk rot commonly causes development of black lesions visible on the surface of the stalk.
Figure 1 — Lodging and stalk breakage, as well as stalk discoloration, are symptoms of stalk rot diseases.
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