Early signs of Southern rust in the Coastal Bend corn fields have been reported to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office in Aransas and San Patricio counties, reports Southwest Farm Press.
Farmers are urged to increase scouting of their fields.
“Southern rust is the most important foliar disease of corn in the Upper Coast region of Texas. In some wetter years like the current growing season, it may require a fungicide treatment to minimize yield loss. This is especially true when susceptible hybrids are grown,” according to Tom Isakeit, professor and Texas AgriLife Extension plant pathologist.
“Southern rust is recognized by small circular orange pustules and this is in comparison to common rust, which is reddish and more elongated,” Isakeit said. “If you have corn at the tasseling to early grain development stage, check lower leaves. If leaves have 3 to 5 percent pustules, that will be your trigger to spray.