Hot, humid conditions are allowing southern corn rust to thrive in central and eastern Kansas.
The disease has now been found in thirteen counties. Unlike tar spot or gray leaf spot, southern rust does not over-winter in Kansas. Instead, it blows in annually from more tropical regions and is becoming more prevalent in southern states.
Experts at Kansas State University have shared five steps for diagnosing and managing the disease.
- First is identification. Southern rust produces orange spores found on the upper side of leaves.
- Steps two, three, and four, focus on using fungicides and their timing. While fungicides are usually not recommended for southern rust, foliar fungicides applied at tasseling or sinking for other diseases can also be effective against it.
- Finally, send in a sample.
The K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab can confirm southern rust through its free testing program.
