Corn diseases can be separated into 1) seed and seedling diseases, 2) root-infecting nematodes, 3) leaf diseases, 4) rusts, 5) stalk rots, and 6) ear and grain molds. Yield losses can result from diseases directly reducing yields or from harvestability, spoilage, or marketing and/or use issues associated with mycotoxin contamination. See Table 9.1 for corn disease management information. Attention to optimal seed quality, hybrid selection, seed treatments, weed and insect control, crop rotation, soil fertility, irrigation, and prompt harvest can reduce disease impacts. This chapter discusses aspects of recognizing and managing South Dakota corn diseases.
Bauder et al. (Fri,) studied this question.