Corn Diseases of Ohio

Anthracnose stalk rot

• Symptoms
  • shiny black streaks, specks or large blotches discolor the stalk surface
  • pith decays and turns brown
  • stalks weaken and lodge
• Environment
  • high temperatures and extended periods of cloudy rainy weather
• Survival
• fungus survives on leaf and stalk debris left on soil surface
• spread by splashing rain
• Management
  • resistant hybrids
  • crop rotation
  • clean and deep plowdown of crop residues
  • balanced soil fertility
• Scouting