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Tar spot found in Illinois corn samples

The new fungal leaf disease “Tar Spot” has been confirmed in samples taken from three Illinois counties.

Purdue University researchers identified the disease in Indiana two weeks ago.

The findings in LaSalle, DeKalb and Bureau counties in northern Illinois have been confirmed by the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection lab in Beltsville, Maryland.

Only one of two pathogens that causes Tar Spot (Phyllachora maydis) has been identified in Indiana and Illinois and it is typically considered a minor problem.

Growers who suspect Tar Spot in their corn are asked to send a sample to the University of Illinois Plant Clinic.

Tar Spot is a problem in cool and humid conditions at higher elevations in Latin America.