Corn Diseases in Ohio

Seed Rots and Seedling Blights

• Symptoms
  • poor emergence
  • killing of embryo before germination
  • rotting of seedling roots
  • yellowing, wilting and death of seedling leaves
• Environment
  • disease prevalent in poorly drained soil during periods of cold wet weather
  • soil temperatures below 50 to 55F favor seedling blight
• Survival
  • fungi persist in the soil
• Management
  • use high quality uncracked seed
  • use chemical seed treatment
  • proper seed bed preparation
• Scouting