Seed and Seedling Diseases of Corn
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Written by Mark Jeschke, Ph.D., Agronomy Manager
Key Points
- Corn planted into cold, wet soils that emerges more slowly can be susceptible to injury from soilborne pathogens.
- Soilborne pathogens may attack seeds and seedlings both before and after plant emergence, as well as the roots and mesocotyl of emerging or established plants.
- Corn seedling disease is caused by a complex of fungal pathogens that often occur together.
- Injury may be subtle or severe enough to require replanting. Surviving stands may have reduced yields due to low plant population, uneven plant growth and reduced plant fitness.
- Managing corn seedling diseases begins with utilizing an effective fungicide seed treatment package and avoiding planting when soil temperatures are likely to remain low for an extended period of time.
- Corn planted following a rye cover crop can be at greater risk of seedling disease, as rye can serve as an alternate host for soilborne pathogens that attack corn.
The foregoing is provided for informational use only. Please contact your Pioneer sales professional for information and suggestions specific to your operation. 2020-2022 data are based on average of all comparisons made in over 50 locations through Sept. 1, 2022. Multi-year and multi-location is a better predictor of future performance. Do not use these or any other data from a limited number of trials as a significant factor in product selection. Product responses are variable and subject to a variety of environmental, disease, and pest pressures. Individual results may vary.
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