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Potential ear rot in corn

The hot and dry weather conditions throughout Indiana this year could favor ear rot development in corn.  Purdue Extension plant pathologist, Kiersten Wise said while there is no way to manage or even reduce toxic ear rot at this stage of the growing season, it is important farmers to know what they could be facing in their fields.  Wise advises growers to be on the lookout for the three common types of ear rot. 

One of the most common in drought-stressed plants is Aspergillus ear rot which is evident by stunted corn ears with an olive-green dusty mold under the husk.  When growers are scouting their fields and notice white, pink or grey kernels scattered across the ear, Fusarium ear rot could be present.  Wise notes that is often associated with insect damage.  Another common ear rot is Diplodia.  Wise says it infects corn during silking and infected ears tend to have bleached husks with black specks on the outer layer. 

Wise says producers need to scout their fields before harvest to determine if the disease is present.  She also says contaminated grain should be stored separately from good grain and stored below 15 percent moisture to prevent further growth of the fungi.