Leaf diseases showing up early

By Ryan McAllister, CCA Team Sales Agronomist for Beck’s Hybrids

Upon traveling a good portion of the state of Ohio and most of eastern Indiana, I am beginning to see leaf diseases earlier than what I would normally expect to see them.  The most common disease present has been common rust followed by (GLS) Gray Leaf Spot, and I am just beginning to be able to find some northern corn leaf blight lesions.  All of which are earlier than normal due to the excessive and prolonged saturated rain events and warm weather.  Be scouting your fields to see if a fungicide application is warranted.  Progression up the plant is what we are looking for. It is important to protect the leaves that are ABOVE the ear leaf. Upon traveling a good portion of the state of Ohio and most of eastern Indiana, I am beginning to see leaf diseases earlier than what I would normally expect to see them.  The most common disease present has been common rust followed by (GLS) Gray Leaf Spot, and I am just beginning to be able to find some northern corn leaf blight lesions.  All of which are earlier than normal due to the excessive and prolonged saturated rain events and warm weather.  Be scouting your fields to see if a fungicide application is warranted.  Progression up the plant is what we are looking for.  It is important to protect the leaves that are above the ear leaf.