Weather conditions are favorable for several different ear rots of corn in Indiana this year. As harvest begins, it is important to identify fields that may have ear rots to ensure timely harvest and proper storage of moldy grain. Several economically important ear rots may appear in Indiana this year, including Diplodia ear rot, and Gibberella ear rot.
A different fungus causes each of these rots, and the environmental conditions at and just after silking influence which ear rot may be problematic in a given year. Additionally, some of these fungi are able to produce mycotoxins as a byproduct of the infection process. Mycotoxins can be toxic to humans and livestock, and are carefully regulated in food and feed. Proper identification of ear rots is key for managing affected grain.
Diplodia Ear Rot
Diplodia ear rot is caused by the fungus Stenocarpella maydis, and is very common in cornfields across the Corn Belt. This fungus survives in residue and infects plants approximately two weeks after pollination. Humid weather and rains prior to and after pollination will favor disease development. Diplodia ear rot is identified by white fungal growth on the cob, often forming a mat of fungus across the ear.
Infected kernels may also be brown-gray in appearance. Small, black fungal structures called pycnidia may form on the kernels or the cob. The fungus is reported to produce a mycotoxin called diplodiatoxin in South America and South Africa, however, no reports of toxic effects of grain on livestock or humans due to Diplodia ear rot have been reported in the United States. Grain dockage may still occur, however, due to moldy grain.
Gibberella Ear Rot
Gibberella ear rot, caused by the fungus Gibberella zeae, is common during cool, rainy years, like 2009 and 2014. The fungus infects during early silking and pollination, and is favored by cooler temperatures than the previously described ear rots. This fungus produces a fungal mat on the ear, similar to Diplodia ear rot, but often with a pink or reddish color to the mold. Gibberella zeae produces the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly referred to as vomitoxin. This mycotoxin can be extremely harmful to swine, and is carefully regulated according to FDA action levels.
Ear Rot Management
Preventative management of ear rots is critical, and can be accomplished by selecting less susceptible hybrids and reducing the amount of corn residue that can serve as a source for the fungus to overwinter. This is accomplished through crop rotation and tillage. In-season management of ear rots is limited at this point, with few fungicides and antifungal products available for specific ear rots. Efficacy data for these fungicides are limited.
Farmers should scout fields prior to harvest and determine the level of incidence of any ear rot in the field. If ear rots are observed in a field, affected areas should be harvested early and grain segregated to avoid
mycotoxin contamination of non-infected grain. Silage and grain harvested with suspected ear rots should be dried to below 15% moisture. If grain or silage (with kernels present) is kept above this moisture content, mycotoxin can continue to accumulate in grain.
All grain contaminated by any ear rot fungus should be stored separately from good grain, and if stored long term, stored below 13% moisture to prevent further growth of fungi.
