News

New bacterial disease confirmed in U.S. corn

A new corn disease has been confirmed and has shown up in three Midwestern states:  Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. It’s also been confirmed in Colorado.  Bacterial leaf streak disease is new to the U.S. but has been reported on corn in South Africa.

The University of Nebraska Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic has been analyzing disease samples for the past two years from several counties in Nebraska.

Bacterial leaf streak disease looks similar to other diseases, especially Gray leaf spot, a fungal disease.

The clinic says foliar fungicides likely won’t control it and it’s not known what will at this point beyond sanitation practices, cleaning equipment between fields.

The USDA issued a statement Friday saying the disease poses no health risks to people or animals and there’s no evidence it’ll have adverse effects on corn yield or quality.

The USDA is not calling for quarantines and says it will address this new disease “like any other bacterial disease of corn.”