Black cutworm watch
There have been some reports of black cutworms already affecting corn and soybean fields this year. Read the latest article on what to look out for.
Watch for These Early Season Diseases
Farmers need to be aware of several diseases that can affect corn and soybean crops during the spring growing season. The following are some of the most common corn and soybean diseases to watch for during this time.
Plant 2023 Observations
Some planting has gone well where the corn has already spiked up out of the ground. In other areas, I’ve seen pivots running just to wet the ground before planting because the ground was too dry and hard.
Purple Corn Syndrome
Purple corn syndrome commonly shows up in corn fields every year, typically following periods of low temperatures.
Seed and Seedling Diseases of Corn
Corn fields can contain numerous pathogens in the soil that are capable of infecting corn seeds and seedlings. Corn planted into a well-prepared seedbed with warm conditions that allow it to emerge quickly, can generally outgrow the effects of pathogen attack. However, corn planted into cold, wet soils that emerges more slowly can be susceptible to injury from soilborne pathogens. Soilborne pathogens may attack seeds and seedlings both before and after plant emergence, as well as the roots and mesocotyl of emerging or established plants.