Favored by high infestation levels of flea beetles in April through late June. Apply insecticides early to control corn flea beetles, resistant hybrids. Click on an image to display it in larger detail. Favored by cool to warm, wet, humid weather, minimum tillage, continuous corn, stresses that result in early senescence. Unlike other stalk rots, infection occurs aboveground.
Leaves turn grayish-green and eventually brown.
Dark brown lesions extend in either direction from the node. Pith is disintegrated and discolored, stalks break easily. Infection occurs through roots. Click on an image to display it in larger detail. Stalks that are split open have a disintegrated pith with pink discoloration.