Update from the Field: Not So Southern Comfort
Posted by David Dyson, Agronomist on October 16, 2017
Corn harvest is in full force throughout The Andersons’ territory. Yields have been high and moisture has been running around 19% or less. We have had great weather so far, but now we are looking at a rainy pattern settling in for the next couple of weeks. I am starting to see more and more fungus developing on the ears. We need to keep reminding our clients to check their fields, and harvest suspected fungus infested fields first.
Last week I was called out to a problematic field near Fostoria, OH. The corn variety was at a 103-day maturity. The client was complaining that the corn leaves and stalks were turning red (Figure 1), which is a result of sugars and other nutrients suspended in the plant’s tissue. These nutrients are usually funneled to the ear and kernels. On closer examination of the plant, the leaves presented with a severe case of southern rust (Figure 2). Southern rust is a fungal disease caused by the Puccinia polysora pathogen. Yield losses may result from poorly filled kernels and stalk lodging-induced harvest losses (Figure 3). Since the kernels were aborted around late blister stage, the nutrients and sugars had nowhere to go. Stratego® YLD fungicide was applied to this field at tassel (VT) using a rate of 4 oz/A. While Stratego YLD fungicide has been used with success in the past, its performance rating on southern rust is mediocre. This is the first year southern rust has been found north of Indianapolis, and it’s even been documented as far north as the Michigan border. This pathogen will not overwinter in Northern Indiana or Northern Ohio. I believe we are seeing this disease so far north because of the warmer than normal weather we experienced earlier this year.
Even though we don’t normally see this disease in our territory, that’s not to say it cannot happen. I remember finding frogeye in soybeans for the first time north of US 70; there is a first time for everything. Be on the lookout for anything and everything, and don’t discount your observations just because they aren’t the norm.
Summary:
- Keep scouting fields
- If you find a problem, identify the root cause
- Don’t discount your observations
Figure 1: Red tissue from excessive nutrients and sugars with nowhere to go
Figure 2: Southern rust (left: back of the leaf; right: top of the leaf)
Figure 3: Kernel abortion due to stress around the blister stage
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Dave Dyson is a regional agronomist for The Andersons’ Farm Centers which are located throughout Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. He is an Indiana native and grew up on a dairy farm in Miami County. A graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Crop & Soil Science, Dave has a deep knowledge of various agronomic topics and is committed to helping growers improve their crops. If you have any questions, Dave can be reached at david_dyson@andersonsinc.com.
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