Gray Leaf Spot
What is it?
Gray leaf spot, known as GLS, is a disease found in corn. It is a fungal pathogen of cercospora zeae. GLS can be one of the most yielding limiting factors in corn production. GLS connected to the loss of photosynthetic area from leaf blight can result in stalk lodging.
How can I prevent it?
• Tillage > a pathogen cannot survive when debris is mixed into the soil
• Rotating crops
• Growing corn for silage > due to the reduced amount of inocula available in the corn
• Use of tolerant corn products
• Fungicide applications
What to look for?
• Immature lesions > small, brown, tan spots, surrounded by yellow halo
• Mature Lesions > rectangular brown to gray necrotic run parallel to leaf, in spaces between major leaf veins
• Severe Lesions > large sections of leaf or whole plant may be blighted
• Symptoms can be very similar to: anthracnose, eyespot or common rust
Our EdgeUp Advisors have been spending many hours in the fields and Gray Leaf spot has been prevalent in a lot of corn fields. Call your EdgeUp Advisors with any questions you might have.
“With climate field view our EdgeUp Advisors can also scout multiple acres to help give fungicide recommendations. We also encourage our customers to use a curative and preventative combination when making their fungicide selections. Our goal at BA Genetics is to help our farms make decisions that will help increase their profitability.” Said Gregg Adams, Co-Owner of B&A Genetics.