This NebGuide discusses the symptoms, impacts and management of these diseases.
Field corn is grown on the most acreage.
Whether grown in an irrigated or dryland production system, all corn hybrids are susceptible to a variety of stalk rot diseases. These diseases occur every year in every field to some extent. The level of impact is determined by a number of factors, including the weather during the growing season, the amount of stress on the plants, hybrid genetics and the populations of the stalk rot pathogens in the field. Stalk Rot Diseases in Nebraska Corn stalk rot is a family of diseases caused by several species of fungi and bacteria. The geographic distribution of plant diseases and the incidence and severity of those diseases changes over time due to changes in climatic conditions, agricultural practices and hybrid genetics.