The disease is not considered of economic importance. Leaf samples from a Carrington area corn field were recently diagnosed as having a fungal disease called northern corn leaf spot. The tips of the leaves were severely infected and tattered or torn looking. This corn leaf disease is favored by moderate temperatures and high relative humidity. Fortunately, this disease is considered of minor importance and of little threat to hybrid corn.
Control is limited to use of resistant hybrids.
This is the time to start scouting fields for seed weevil, as well as continue monitoring for the presence of other insects including sunflower beetle, midge, and moths. While in fields, don't limit your observations to only insects as sunflower rust should also be on your scouting list. Our recent warm day and night temperatures, and high humidity have been favorable for the development of sunflower rust. Ray petal wilt occurs approximately 12 days after the plant begins to bloom. Refer to NDSU Extension Service circular PP-998 'Sunflower Rust' for details on rust symptoms, survival and spread, severity estimation, and management.