Eyespot
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Symptoms of Eyespot
- Affected leaves are covered with numerous small round spots.
- Spots are about 1/8 inch in diameter, oval to circular and initially appear water soaked.
- The central area of the spot soon dies, leaving a tan center surrounded by a distinct brown to purple border. The border is frequently encircled by a yellow halo.
Facts
- Eyespot appears to be most severe in fields where residues from the previous corn crop are left on the soil surface and in fields of continuous corn for 2 or more years.
- Eyespot is favored by long periods of cool, wet weather during the growing season and is more of a problem in the northern regions of the Corn Belt.
Life Cycle of Eyespot
- The fungus overwinters and survives between corn crops on residue left on the soil surface.
- In the spring, the fungus produces spores that are carried to the new corn crop.
- The fungus may also be seed-borne, but this source of fungal inoculum is insignificant when compared to the number of spores produced on infested crop residues.
Management of Eyespot
- Plant corn hybrids that have some resistance to eyespot.
- Crop rotation and clean plow down of corn residues will help reduce the amount of surviving fungus and limit early season disease spread.