In 2018, the prevalence and severity of tar spot increased dramatically and in some areas caused substantial yield losses. Prepare yourself for the coming growing season with these tar spot management suggestions from University of Illinois Extension Plant Pathologist Nathan Kleczewski.

Very early symptoms of many diseases look similar. For example, small yellow flecks may be indicative of several diseases and it can be hard to differentiate them without the presence of more mature lesions (or use of a microscope to examine spores and bacterial streaming).

The causal agent of Bacterial Stripe disease was confirmed in Champaign County. Although the disease is not new to the U.S., there’s little information on impact to corn yields.