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Southern Rust a widespread problem this summer

A corn disease is spreading across the Midwest at an alarming rate.

Iowa State University Extension plant pathologist Daren Mueller says Southern Rust has been reported from the deep south all the way up to Minnesota.

“Honestly, in my twenty-some years here in Iowa, I’ve never seen it this early. Usually it comes in in August, or maybe September even.”

In addition to nearly half the counties in Iowa, Southern Rust has also been confirmed in Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, South Dakota, Indiana, and Kansas.

Mueller suggests certain fungicides are very effective and tells Brownfield growers should be looking for raised lesions on corn leaves.

“There’s a few clues. Usually this will show up in clusters, so you’ll see a cluster of lesions near each other. Common rust is usually a little bit more individual. This rust is more orange, common rust is more of a brick red is what we call it.”

He estimates yield loss from Southern Rust could be as much as 25 percent if left untreated.