Taxonomy: Fungi. Some common diseases are: Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Grey Leaf Spot, Phaesosphaeria Leaf Spot, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Northern Corn Leaf Spot, Physoderma brown spot, Common rust, Eyespot and Southern rust. 

Description: Often well distributed in a field.  Use the Seedco disease and nutrient deficiency brochure for correct identification of the disease. 

Lifecycle: overwinter in crop residues and spores form when exposed to moisture and warm weather. 

Detriment to crops: Necrosis of leaf tissues which in some cases can lead to yield loss.

Monitoring remarks: Check for early signs on the low leaves of the crop. Monitor more frequently once the crop canopy has closed, and during periods of persistent rainfall.

Action threshold: Take curative action if there is a bad infestation of the disease. 

Control general remarks: Crop rotations are essential.  Select resistant maize varieties specific to the disease. Spray broad spectrum fungicides if there is a severe disease problem. 

Contact a Cropserve agronomist for further information.