Anthracnose Anthracnose Stalk Rot: Field Guide - Disease Field Guide - Disease

Anthracnose Anthracnose Stalk Rot
• Caused by a fungus.
• Starts at the lower leaves. Lesions appear
tan in color with reddish-brown or yellowish- • The outside of the stalk appears a shiny black
orange borders. color.
• Eventually, the legions cover the whole leaf. • Occurs during hot, very dry weather.
Field Guide - Disease Field Guide - Disease
Aspergillus Bacterial Soft-Rot
• Bacteria can be present in deposited soil

• Greenish-yellow mold on the ear between the during high water or flooding events.
kernels. • The top of the plant will rot causing a putrid
• Produces aflatoxin. odor.
• The whorl can be easily removed from the
plant.
20
Charcoal Rot Common Rust
• The interior of the stalk has a shredded, black, • Elongated lesions with dark brown pustules
dusty look to it. erupting through the upper and lower surfaces
• A closer look reveals numerous black fungal of the leaf.
structures known as microsclerotia. • Frequent midsummer disease. Occurs
• Occurs in hot, dry years. anywhere in the canopy.
Common Smut Crazy Top Downy Mildew
• Galls encased in a silvery membrane found

commonly on the ear but can occur anywhere
on the plant.
• As the galls mature, they will rupture and spill • Upper leaves are rolled and twisted.
out their black powdery spores. • Tassel or corn ear looks like a mass of leafy
• Can happen in any field at any time, but most structures.
commonly following hail damage or when • Infection occurred early in the growing season
weather conditions inhibit pollination. when the soil was water-saturated for 24-48
hours.
21
Diplodia Ear Rot Diplodia Stalk Rot
• Plants with husks that are dry while the rest of

the plants remain green.
• White mold grows in the kernel channels
starting at the base of the ear.
• The presence of small, dark brown to black
• In some cases, diplodia can mummify the
pimple-like structures.
entire ear.
• Embedded in the rind of the lower stem.
Fusarium Ear Rot Fusarium Stalk Rot
• A whitish pink to lavender fungal growth

found on kernels. • Premature death due to stalks lodging above
• Often creates a starburst pattern. the soil.
• Produces fumonisin toxin. • When the stalks are split, the inside shows
complete disintegration with only the vascular
bundles remaining intact.
22
Gibberella Ear Rot Gibberella Stalk Rot
• A pink to reddish mold that starts at the tip of

the ear.
• Produces vomitoxin. • A reddish discoloration that appears inside
the stalk.
Gray Leaf Spot Gross’s Wilt
• Most common in fields with hail damage.

• Leaves have lesions that are tan to gray, Creates microscopic wounds that allow
narrow and rectangular about 1/4 to 2 in. bacteria to enter the plant tissue.
• The fungus starts at the lowest leaves and • Lesions appear as grey to light yellow stripes
moves upward. Can kill entire leaf. with wavy or irregular margins.
• Heavily infested plants can develop stalk rot. • Dark green to black water-soaked spots
• Happens to susceptible hybrids that are grown (freckles) appear within the lesions.
in continuously cropped, no-till fields. • Can be confused with leaf scorch.
23
Head Smut
• The tassel has been partially or fully replaced by

a smut sorus.
• The sorus is covered by a thin membrane that
eventually ruptures to release dark, dusty spores.
• Plants with a smutted tassel will also have
smutted ears.
• Smutted ears do not have silks and the cobs and
kernels are completely replaced by the sorus.
Field Guide - Disease
Iron Deficiency Magnesium Deficiency
• Young corn plants are yellow or pale-green

between the veins of the leaves.
• Due to soil being high in pH and calcium and
• Interveinal striping of leaves.
low in organic matter.
• Older leaves may become reddish-purple.
• Edges and tips may become necrotic.
• Caused by compacted soils or sandy soils low
in organic matter.
Field Guide - Nutrition Field Guide - Nutrition
24
Southern Rust
• Small, circular lesions often surrounded by

a yellow halo found all along the upper leaf
surface and normally does not erupt from the
underside.
• Usually appears in late July or early August;
can result in significant yield loss.
Field Guide - Disease
Phosphorus Deficiency Potassium Deficiency
• Outer leaf margins become yellow and

• Found mostly in young plants. necrotic; characteristic “V” shape.
• Younger leaves - reddish-purple leaf tips; older • A mobile nutrient. Symptoms appear in the
leaves - reddish-purple outer edges. lower, older leaves first
• Some causes include poor soil; cool, wet • Appear after emergence - around V5 and V6.
growing conditions; and sunny days, cold • Can be caused by cold, compacted soil that
nights. Certain hybrids naturally develop this limits root growth.
coloration.
25
Nitrogen Deficiency Late Season Nitrogen Deficiency
• Leaves appear pale green or have yellowish

discoloration.
• Yellowing starts at the tips and moves down
the midrib. Creates a characteristic “V” • Characteristic V-shaped yellow firing along
shape. midrib of lower leaves.
• Nitrogen is mobile. Coloration seen in older, • Stalks are thin and spindly.
lower leaves first. • Ears appear pinched, with flinty kernels.
• Can be caused by cold, wet conditions
Armyworms Cinch Bugs
• Leaf tissue has been removed, leaving the • They cluster near the base of the plant.
exposed midrib. • Adults have a black body and white wings.
• Feeding progressed upward, and damaged Nymphs are red with a white stripe across their
plants were near the edge/margin of the field. body and are wingless.
• Armyworms moving from the dry neighboring • Suck juice from the stalk of the plant above the
field or from grassy areas. ground and just below, causing wilting of the
• Armyworms have a greenish-black body with plant.
orange-striped sides and a white stripe on its • Plants in the first rows of field margins are first
back. to experience cinch bugs back.
Field Guide - Pests Field Guide - Pests
26
Sulfur Deficiency Zinc Deficiency
• Growth of the plant is stunted with yellow • Whitish bands appear on the sides (and move
leaves showing interveinal chlorosis toward the middle) of the leaves and span
• Similar to nitrogen deficiency except the yellow from base to tip
is in the upper, younger leaves rather than the • The plant’s growth becomes stunted as the
lower, older ones stalk’s internodes shorten
• Mainly found in sandy soils with low organic • Occurs in sandy and high pH
matter
Corn Earworms Corn Leaf Aphids
• Corn earworms feed on kernels starting near • The tassels and upper portion of the plant is
the tip and open the husks providing entry covered with small, blue-green, soft-bodied
points for disease and birds. insects.
• Larvae vary in color from brown to green to • The plant is also covered in a sticky, sometimes
purple and have yellow lateral stripes along blackened, substance (honeydew) as well
their sides and tiny raised spines. as white skin casts on the plant and on the
• Larvae are cannibalistic so only a few are ground.
spotted on an infested plant back. • The leaves are wilted, curled and have yellow
patches.
27
Corn Rootworms - Larvae Corn Rootworms - Adults
• Larvae can destroy most of the root system; • Adults feed on leaves, creating scratches and
1/2 in. long, white and slender. They have a small holes.
brown head and a brown plate at the rear • Can also feed on pollen and silks.
giving them a two-headed appearance. • Western (left) and southern (right) corn
• Affected roots appear brown and larger roots rootworm.
show tunneling. • The western corn rootworm is the most
• Plants can become lodged or have a destructive rootworm in Kansas.
gooseneck appearance.
Cutworms European Corn Borers
• Young damaged leaves with round shot holes.

• Larvae chew through the unfurled, developing
• Young cutworms feed on leaves leaving small leaves.
transparent areas called window panes. • Tunnels inside the stalk at the breaking point
• Older cutworms cut leaves off near the soil of lodged plants weakening the stalk.
surface. • Larvae have a dirty, white body coloring with
• Black cutworms feed at night and hide rows of gray spots along the sides.
underground during the day. • Larvae can also tunnel the ear shanks causing
• Mature larvae are plump, smooth, greasy- the ears to drop.
looking and dark grey in color.
28
Flea Beetles Grasshoppers
• Infestation happens during early growing

months.
• Vulnerable during slow growth due to low • Large chunks of tissue are removed from leaf
temperatures. margins leaving a ragged appearance.
• Corn plants can recover due to the growing • Stalks are not bruised, and few midribs are
point being below ground until emergence of broken. This is not caused by hail damage.
fifth leaf. • Found around field margins; grasshoppers
move from the weedy borders to feed on the
corn plants.
Nematodes Southwestern Corn Borers
• Nematodes are microscopic, wormlike

organisms that live in soil and plant tissue.
Can be confirmed by soil tests. • Larvae tunnel inside the stalks and girdle the
• Create stunted growing patches usually oval base causing the plants to lodge.
or circular in shape. • Larvae are white with black spots down the
• These patterns are not characteristic of sides and an orange head.
herbicide damage.
• Roots appear stunted or stubby and are
localized on the root system.
29
Spider Mites Stalk Borers
• White or yellow spots covering leaves on

surface and underside • Plants usually found near edges of the field
• Damage starts at the lower leaves and moves that become stunted and damaged.
upward. • Insects kill the growing point of a plant leads
• Spider mite infestation is heaviest along the to a condition called deadheart.
leaf midrib. • One cause is the common stalk borer.
• Seen crawling specks under a hand lens. • They have a recognizable purple band
traversing near the legs.
White Grubs
• White, C-shaped grubs.

• Burrow at the base of the plant.
• Feed on the roots causing leaves to wilt after
emergence.
• Another indicator, plants being dug up by
rodents looking for grubs.
Field Guide - Pests
30
Wireworms Western Bean Cutworms
• Larvae enter ears through tips or chew

• Hard-bodied with yellow-brown coloration. through the husks to feed on kernels.
• Burrow at the base of the plant, feeding on the • Causes ear deformation.
roots causing leaves to wilt.
31
Poorly Drained/Compacted Soil High Water/Flooding
• Yellow, wilted plants. • Soil on the leaves and caked within the whorl.
• Stem tissue around ground level will be • New leaves should not be affected.
discolored and water-soaked.
• Indicates seedling blight injury.
Field Guide - Weather Field Guide - Weather
Water and Freezing Temperatures Late Freeze
• Will kill the leaves above ground

• Leaves are fully white. • Corn plants can recover because growing
• The corn plant first becomes soaked with point may still be below ground
water. • Right - the ground experienced freezing
• It is then exposed to freezing temperatures. temperatures which killed the growing plant
• Below - plants recovering from frost damage
32
Cold Weather Crown Stress Windburn
• The older, lower leaves show the worst

• Happens during extended periods of cold, wet
damage, whereas the younger leaves are
weather early in the season.
relatively unscathed. Not a nutrient problem.
• The crown tissue is soaked with water and
• The bare surface soil allowed strong winds
appears very dark. The damage can move
to abrade the leave tissue, drying it out and
upwards for several nodes.
allowing it to become necrotic.
• The corn plants on the left and right show this • This picture was taken a week after a high
damage and their growth will be stunted. wind storm.
Drought Stress Hail Damage/High Winds
• An entire field with plants that have shredded,

• Leaves turn a dull gray color instead of deep bruised and broken leaves, midribs and stalks.
green. • Dark bruises can be left on the husks.
• Upper leaves will roll upward and inward. • Damage is more severe on one side of the
plants.
• Plants can recover if hail happens before the
V8 growth stage.
33
Green Snap Flecking
• Two to three weeks before silking corn plants • Tiny yellow or white spots on the upper leaf
enter the rapid stem elongation phase. surface.
• Stalks are brittle and are susceptible to high • Associated with hot, dry weather, such as in
winds. western Kansas.
• They can easily snap in two just above the • Look over entire plant to make sure it’s not
lower nodes. spider mites.
• When plants tassel and silk, they become less
brittle.
Barnyard Grass Cheatgrass
Pictures courtesy of: Dallas Peterson, Kansas State University Pictures courtesy of: Dallas Peterson, Kansas State University
Weed Identification: https://www.agronomy.kstate.edu/documents/weed-management/pptks-weed-id.pdf Weed Identification: https://www.agronomy.kstate.edu/documents/weed-management/pptks-weed-id.pdf
Field Guide - Weeds Field Guide - Weeds
34
Excessive Heat Zipper Ear
• Parts or entire rows of kernels are missing due

• Excessive heat during pollination period can to kernel abortion.
cause sterility and poor seed set. • Ears are curved because rows opposite
• Hot, dry winds increase the severity. continue to fill and extend the axis of the ear.
• Caused by environmental stressors such
as severe drought, nitrogen deficiency and
multiple other factors.
Chickweed Common Cocklebur
35
Large Crabgrass Prairie Cupgrass
Green and Yellow Foxtail Giant Foxtail

Green Foxtail (left)
Yellow Foxtail (right)
36
Johnsongrass Jointed Goatgrass
Horseweed (Marestail) Kochia
37
Kudzu Common Lambsquarters
Palmer Amaranth Field Pansy
38
Field Pennycress Redroot Pigweed
Tumble Pigweed Prickly Lettuce
39
Common Ragweed Giant Ragweed
Velvetleaf
Pictures courtesy of: Dallas Peterson, Kansas State University

Weed Identification: https://www.agronomy.kstate.edu/documents/weed-management/pptks-weed-id.pdf
Field Guide - Weeds
40
Windmill Grass Witchgrass
Waterhemp
Pictures courtesy of: Dallas Peterson, Kansas State University

Weed Identification: https://www.agronomy.kstate.edu/documents/weed-management/pptks-weed-id.pdf
41

Anthracnose Anthracnose Stalk Rot: Field Guide - Disease Field Guide - Disease

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Anthracnose Anthracnose Stalk Rot

Field Guide - Disease Field Guide - Disease

Aspergillus Bacterial Soft-Rot

• Bacteria can be present in deposited soil

Field Guide - Disease Field Guide - Disease

Field Guide - Disease Field Guide - Disease

Common Smut Crazy Top Downy Mildew

• Galls encased in a silvery membrane found

• Plants with husks that are dry while the rest of

Field Guide - Disease Field Guide - Disease

Fusarium Ear Rot Fusarium Stalk Rot

• A whitish pink to lavender fungal growth

Field Guide - Disease Field Guide - Disease

• A pink to reddish mold that starts at the tip of

Field Guide - Disease Field Guide - Disease

Gray Leaf Spot Gross’s Wilt

• Most common in fields with hail damage.

Field Guide - Disease Field Guide - Disease

• The tassel has been partially or fully replaced by

Field Guide - Disease

Iron Deficiency Magnesium Deficiency

• Young corn plants are yellow or pale-green

• Small, circular lesions often surrounded by

Field Guide - Disease

Phosphorus Deficiency Potassium Deficiency

• Outer leaf margins become yellow and

• Leaves appear pale green or have yellowish

Armyworms Cinch Bugs

Corn Earworms Corn Leaf Aphids

Cutworms European Corn Borers

• Young damaged leaves with round shot holes.

• Infestation happens during early growing

Field Guide - Pests Field Guide - Pests

Nematodes Southwestern Corn Borers

• Nematodes are microscopic, wormlike

Field Guide - Pests Field Guide - Pests

• White or yellow spots covering leaves on

• White, C-shaped grubs.

Field Guide - Pests

• Larvae enter ears through tips or chew

Field Guide - Pests Field Guide - Pests

Field Guide - Pests Field Guide - Pests

Field Guide - Weather Field Guide - Weather

Water and Freezing Temperatures Late Freeze

• Will kill the leaves above ground

Field Guide - Weather Field Guide - Weather

• The older, lower leaves show the worst

Drought Stress Hail Damage/High Winds

• An entire field with plants that have shredded,

Field Guide - Weather Field Guide - Weather

Barnyard Grass Cheatgrass

• Parts or entire rows of kernels are missing due

Field Guide - Weather Field Guide - Weather

Chickweed Common Cocklebur

Green and Yellow Foxtail Giant Foxtail

Yellow Foxtail (right)

Horseweed (Marestail) Kochia

Palmer Amaranth Field Pansy

Tumble Pigweed Prickly Lettuce

Pictures courtesy of: Dallas Peterson, Kansas State University

Pictures courtesy of: Dallas Peterson, Kansas State University

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