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Disease pressures could reduce Iowa’s corn yields
It appears that late-season disease pressure may be taking its toll on Iowa’s corn crop.
DTN quotes several agronomists saying that premature corn death in many parts of the state could cut corn yields by 10 to 15 bushels per acre. Iowa State University extension corn specialist Roger Elmore says, while it’s too early for him to make that prediction, it is a possibility.
“Certainly, if we lose the leaf and lose the photosynthetic capacity of the crop prior to when it should be maturing normally, it’s easy to knock five to ten percent off of the yield,” says Elmore.
Premature corn death also can lead to soft stalks and downed corn. Bob Streit with Central Iowa Agronomics in Boone, Iowa told DTN that stalk lodging could be much worse than in 2008.
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