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Ear Rots
When you’ve had a wet year like the tail end of 2021, it’s not surprise that our CCA’s have come across more ear rot than usual. It’s important to identify your ear rots correctly as some fungi can produce mycotoxins, harm livestock, reduce yield, and reduce grain quality. One of the key factors to know about ear rots is – which fungi produce toxic mycotoxins? Not all of them do!
Common Mycotoxin Producing Ear Rots in the US
Aspergillus Ear Rot is caused by the fungi Aspergillus flavus which produces the mycotoxin, Aflatoxin. While Aspergillus Ear Rot occurs primarily in the south, it is important to recognize the olive-green powdery mold that forms on the tips of the kernels. It is carcinogenic, harmful to livestock, and reduces grain quality.
Fusarium Ear Rot is caused by the fungi Fusarium verticillioides, which produces the mycotoxin, fumonisins. Fusarium Ear Rot typically does not have a large impact on yield, but is very toxic to both human and livestock health. The symptoms include white or purple mold that can appear anywhere on the ear.
Gibberella Ear Rot is caused by the fungi Gibberella zeae and produces the two mycotoxins, Deoxynivalenol (is often referred to as vomitoxin) and Zearalenone. Gibberella Ear Rot is very prevlalent in NYS and is the most common ear rot that we have been seeing across the state. Just like the previous two ear rots, Gibberella Ear Rot is very toxic to livestock and is most often seen in continuous corn. Gibberella Ear Rot produces a pink mold that begins at the ear tip. This is especially an issue in fields where there is heavy bird pressure as they open the husks and allow moisture in.
We know there are other ear rots that do not produce mycotoxins in the U.S. such as Diplodia Ear Rot, Nigrospora Ear Rot, and Cladosporium Ear Rot, and there are also some ear rots that only certain species of the fungi produce mycotoxins, such as Penicillium Ear Rot and Trichoderma Ear Rot. Scouting fields prior to harvest is essential to ensure you are aware of any ear rots throughout a field. Testing is recommended after harvest to determine the level of ear mold in the grain and whether it is safe for livestock consumption.
If you’re noticing high levels of ear rots in your corn fields, there are a few management practices that can help address the issue. Making sure you’re planting hybrids that are less susceptible to certain ear rots and are traited for insect resistance can help reduce ear rot pressure. Providing proper nutrition and scouting for insects will help reduce crop stressors. If you’re finding high levels of ear rots in your corn crop, contact your local CaroVail sales representative to determine whether it is a mycotoxin producing fungus and the steps that should be taken to reduce further spread.
Source: Crop Protection Network – Corn disease Management
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