Corn Diseases of Ohio

Gibberella ear rot

• Symptoms
  • pink to reddish mold starting on or near ear tip and progressing toward base of the ear
• Environment
  • cool temperatures and 7 or more days of rain during the 3-week period after silking
• Survival
  • infection from wind-borne spores
  • fungus survives in soil on crop residues
• Management
  • resistant hybrids
  • ears that dry in a declined position and those well covered with husks generally have less ear rot
• Scouting