LANSING, Mich. — Tar spot is wreaking havoc on cornfields across lower Michigan, leaving once-promising yields in danger of dropping by 60- to 100-bushels.
“Just a few weeks ago, record yields were being anticipated in some parts of Michigan,” said Theresa Sisung, Michigan Farm Bureau field crops specialist. “The rapid spread of tar spot is taking a serious toll on impacted corn, leading to weaker stalks and smaller kernels in many cases.”
Tar spot is caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis and can cause severe yield loss on susceptible hybrids when conditions are favorable for disease, appearing as small, raised, black spots scattered across the upper and lower leaf surfaces.
“The pathogen that causes tar spot overwinters on infested corn residue on the soil surface, and it is thought that high relative humidity and prolonged leaf wetness favor disease development,” Sisung added.
In a recent interview with Michigan Farm Bureau, Missy Bauer of B&M Crop Consulting said some fields look like you would expect them to in November, which is a far cry from what you normally see in mid-to-late September.
Click the image below to see the full interview with Bauer, or click here.
Bauer says several hybrids have been dead since Labor Day.
“As you go through there you realize that many of these stalks are snapping off and is one windstorm away from down corn,” Bauer said. “So, we need to try to get this harvest prioritized as far as which fields you’re going to go to first. This is not going to be the season to let the crop dry down in the field.”
— Michigan Farm Bureau
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