CLEMSON, S.C. — Identifying and distinguishing between common and southern rust is important for proper corn management. This guide is to help growers, consultants, researchers, and Extension personnel correctly identify and manage common and southern rust.
Rusts are fungal diseases that affect a wide host range of crops worldwide. In the United States and specifically the southern United States, two rusts, common rust (Puccinia sorghi) and southern rust (Puccinia polysora), are known to affect corn (Zea mays).1,2 Although both diseases can cause yield reductions, common rust is much less aggressive and must be present at high levels to cause a yield loss. However, if present at critical corn growth stages, southern rust can lead to dramatic yield reductions due to losses in the photosynthetic capacity of the leaves.2
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–Clemson Extension Land Grant Press
