Corn Rust

Puccinia sorghi, a fungus

Corn rust [Credit: University of Georgia Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.jpg]

Corn rust [Credit: Penn State Department of Plant Pathology & Environmental Microbiology Archives, Penn State University, Bugwood.org]

Corn rust [Credit: University of Georgia Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org]

Corn rust [Credit: Daren Mueller, Iowa State University]

Corn rust [Credit: University of Georgia Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org]

Host Plants:

In the wild: Wood sorrel
On Crops: All types of sweetcorn and maize

Where Found:

Worldwide, wherever sweetcorn or maize is grown in temperate climates

Description:

Following a period of cool, wet weather with temperatures between 60 and 70F (16-21C), elongated cinnamon-colored deposits develop on both sides of corn leaves. The brown dust particles in each streak are new rust spores.

Damage:

Badly affected leaves turn brown early and drop off. Plants that lose leaves to rust are weakened and will not produce as well as healthy plants.

Preventing Problems:

Rust-causing fungi persist in soil in warm climates, and spread to other areas when spores are blown northward on south winds. Some varieties offer genetic resistance. Leaves that dry rapidly after rain or heavy dew are unlikely to develop problems with rust. Avoid planting corn near trees, fences, or low pockets where dew is always heavy, and grow corn at proper spacing to make sure sunlight reaches all the leaves. The weed called woodsorrel serves as an alternate host for this disease, so eliminating this weed can limit corn rust. At the end of the season, compost all corn plants to speed the decomposition of diseased tissues.

Managing Outbreaks:

Stay out of your corn patch when the leaves are wet, because you can spread the spores from sick plants to well ones. On a dry day, gather badly affected leaves and dispose of them in the trash.

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