Before starting up the combine, you should think about the possibility of ear rot and kernel rot diseases in your corn. Detecting these diseases before harvest is a good way to avoid problems and make proper decisions before it is too late. Some of these fungi can produce mycotoxins that are harmful to livestock, so it can pay to be aware of their occurrence in your fields. To check for ear rots, strip back the husks on at least 100 plants scattered throughout the field.
Scout fields separately according to hybrid, tillage and rotation history, and planting date.
It is important to be able to recognize the ear rot diseases because their potential impact is very dependent on the particular fungus involved. Common Ear Rot Symptoms Click on any image to see a full-screen version. Fortunately, conditions have not been especially favorable for ear rot diseases this year and these diseases are a problem only in a small number of fields. When evaluating an ear rot problem, remember, certain ear rots are a warning sign to suspect toxins, but ear rots do not always lead to toxin problems. Many fungi are not known to produce toxins, and even those that can produce toxins do not always do so.