6/22/2019

Common Corn Ear Rots

Diplodia Ear Rot (No Mycotoxins)

  • Wet weather during grain fill and upright ears with tight husks promote Diplodia
  • Diplodia may cause ear rot, stalk rot or seedling blight
  • Corn is only known host
  • Wet weather plus moderate temperatures allow infection to occur if spores are present during early silking to two to three weeks after silking
  • Diplodia is highly dependent on quantity of infected, unburied corn residue (stalks, cobs and kernels)

Gibberella Ear Rot (Mycotoxins May Occur)

  • Infects other cereals – causes head scab of wheat
  • Overwinters in infected crop residue
  • Spores are spread from crop residue to corn ears by wind and rain splash
  • Infection of corn ears occurs through young silks
  • Infection favored by cool, wet weather during and after pollination
    (optimum temps 65 to 70 F)
Corn ear damaged from gibberella ear rot
Corn ear damaged from gibberella ear rot

Fusarium Ear Rot (Produces Mycotoxins)

  • Most common fungal disease on corn ears
  • Fungi survive on residue of corn and other plants
  • Most severe when weather is warm and dry
  • Disease enters ear primarily through wounds from hail or insect feeding
  • Scattered or groups of kernels are typically affected
  • Mold may be white, pink or salmon-colored
  • Infected kernels may turn tan or brown
  • "Starburst" pattern often associated with the disease
Corn ear damaged from fusarium ear rot
Corn ear damaged from fusarium ear rot

Aspergillus Ear Rot (Mycotoxins May Occur)

  • Most common under drought conditions, high temperatures (80-100 F) and high relative humidity (85%) during pollination and grain fill
  • Gray-green, olive, yellow-green or yellow-brown powdery mold growth on and between kernels
  • Surface mold can develop anywhere on the ear
  • Symptoms are often found at damaged areas of ear
Corn ear damaged from aspergillus ear rot
Corn ear damaged from aspergillus ear rot

Stop the Clock on Crop Disease

Disease moves fast to destroy crop yields. You need a fungicide that works just as fast. Aproach® Prima fungicide has two modes of action that are proven to work against the most resistant diseases.

Logo - Aproach fungicide

Disease moves fast to destroy crop yields. You need a fungicide that works just as fast. Aproach® Prima fungicide has two modes of action that are proven to work against the most resistant diseases.



Aproach® Prima is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions.