Corn Ear Rots (Uncommon)
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Penicillium Ear Rot (mycotoxins may occur)
- Blue-green fungal growth on and between kernels usually near the ear tip is characteristic of this disease
- Fungal disease of ears often associated with damage from insects or other physical injury
- Infected kernels may become bleached or streaked
- Common and damaging fungus of stored grain, and can grow on kernels with moisture greater than 18%
Nigrospora Ear Rot (no mycotoxins)
- Kernels have a dark gray or black discoloration from fungal mycelium and spores, mostly at the base of kernels
- Infection may first be noticed when cobs shred from the butt end during mechanical harvest
- Usually more severe at the base of ears, and ears are often chaffy and lightweight
- Affected ears are often from plants that have been weakened from frost, drought, root injury, leaf blights, stalk rots or poor nutrition
Cladosporium Ear Rot (no mycotoxins)
- Kernels have a gray to black or greenish-black appearance, and sometimes a powdery mold growth is present
- Also causes black streaks on kernels
- This fungal disease is often seen on ears damaged from frost, insects or other mechanical injury
- Wet weather during ear maturation and delayed harvest may favor this fungal growth
Trichoderma Ear Rot (no mycotoxins)
- Typical symptoms include a dark green fungal growth on and between husks and kernels, often involving the entire ear
- Fungal disease of ears usually associated with injury to the developing ear, including damage from bird or insect feeding or other mechanical injury
- For this reason, damage is not found on every ear, but rather, is usually more scattered within a field