 |
ProCrop |
Stalk Rot of Corn
Stalk rots are favored by dry conditions early in the season followed by wet weather after silking, excessively cloudy weather, too high plant populations, hail damage, unbalanced fertility, and/or insect injury. Yield losses in North Dakota are generally due to harvest losses, because of stalk breakage, lodging, and dropping of ears. Infected stalks may suddenly turn a dull grayish or brown color and are soft near the base. The inside tissue of the stalk is brown or pink, instead of the normal white color. The most common causes of stalk rot in North Dakota are fungi in the genus Fusarium, including Fusarium graminearum which causes headscab of wheat and barley. Fusarium stalk rots cause a pink to reddish discoloration of the internal stalk tissue.
Corn producers who observe stalk rot should harvest AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to avoid additional harvest loss. After harvest the infected stalks will be a potential source of the fungus that causes head scab of small grains. Good crop rotation and careful attention to tillage practices will be needed for next year's crop on these fields.
Back to Stalk Breakage -
Corn Menu
Back to Corn Menu
Back to Main ProCrop Index
