Filtering by tag: corn ✕

close up of irregularly shaped black spot on corn leaf

First Report of Tar Spot of Corn Confirmed in North Carolina

Tar spot, caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis, was confirmed in Randolph County, NC in August 2026. The recent rains and lower temperatures likely helped to promote tar spot development. The…

Close-up of a mature corn ear showing patches of discolored, moldy kernels associated with ear rot, with white-gray fungal growth visible between kernels, particularly on the lower half of the ear.

Corn Ear Rot. Now What?

This year’s weather, combining dry conditions during pollination, followed by a wet July, and a warm and humid end of the season has created favorable conditions for the development of ear rots in…

An upclose picture of two corn plants that have turned white in the new growth due to injury from a HPPD herbicide.

Why Did My Corn Turn White?

Riding across the state and from pictures received, I have seen quite a bit of stressed corn for a whole host of different reasons; drought, temperature swings, limited access to starter fertilizer,…

picture of silk from corn ear

Considerations for Fungicide Applications in North Carolina Corn

Current Situation in North Carolina Corn is currently at the tasseling and silking stages across the state, which is typically the time when fungicides are applied to manage foliar diseases. Gray…

picture from left to right of soybean, corn, and tobacco in circle with sky on top half and soil with roots from corn plant on bottom half and the works root cause reports in white in brown block and -statewide collaboration- in brown letters under the bl

Root Cause Reports: One Month In, and Growing

It’s been one month since the launch of Root Cause Reports!From seedling diseases to deer damage and stink bugs, we’ve been tracking and sharing real-time crop issues from across the state, bringing…

Corn leaf with eyespot symptoms showing small, clustered, tan spots

Dichotomous Key for Identifying Corn Leaf Spot Disorders

Are the spots circular with tan centers and purple to dark brown margins, possibly surrounded by yellow halos? → Yes → Go to 2 → No → Go to 4 Are the lesions small, numerous, evenly distributed…

Picture of corn leaf with holcus spot lesions showing tan spot with yellow halo and dark green water soaked margins

Seeing Spots on Corn? It’s Likely Holcus Leaf Spot

With such a wet May, y’all are probably seeing an uptick in leaf spots on corn, but there’s no need for concern. It’s likely holcus leaf spot, a minor bacterial disease that typically shows up early…

Pciture of corn leafhopper with tan body and two black dots between its eyes

Corn Leafhopper and Corn Stunt Disease: See but Don’t Spray

The corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) is a pest of corn that typically lives in warm places, such as areas near the coast in the southern United States. However, in 2024, it moved as far north as…

Dried corn stalks forming a narrow path through a late-season field

Yield Impact of Fungicides on Drought-Stressed Corn in 2024

Commercially available foliar fungicides (Table 1) were evaluated for their impact on disease and yield responses. Under favorable conditions for disease development (i.e., wet and humid weather),…

Hand holding corn ear with clustered, fused grayish kernels and corn silk

Comprehending the Changing Colors of Corn Leaves

While we are seeing more rain, the drought has turned green corn plants into various shades of yellow and brown. However, there are a few other colors you may see in a field. Read below to know what…