disease

Episode 191 – BONUS! Soybean Red Crown Rot: Emerging Threats and Management Strategies

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We ran out of time last week with guest Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora so we doubled up our releases to cover soybean red crown rot, an emerging and increasingly concerning disease in Midwest production systems. He explains how the pathogen develops, the environmental conditions that favor infection, and why red crown rot can be difficult to distinguish from other soybean wilts and root diseases in the field. Dr. Lopez-Nicora also highlights current research and management options, including the role of resistant varieties, crop rotation, and integrated disease management practices aimed at reducing risk and limiting yield loss. Listeners will come away with practical guidance on scouting, diagnosis, and proactive strategies to stay ahead of this potentially devastating soybean disease.

Watch the C.O.R.N newsletter for the latest updates. For more on Soybean Cyst Nematode management go to: https://www.thescncoalition.com/. For more information and disease forecasting tools, please visit: https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/ A big thanks goes out to the United Soybean Board and Ohio Soybean Council for their support.

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Episode 190 – Soybean Foliar Diseases

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In this episode, guest Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora joins us to unpack the evolving landscape of soybean foliar diseases and what growers need to know for effective management. Dr. Lopez-Nicora discusses the most prevalent foliar issues in soybean production, including the environmental conditions that drive disease development and the challenges of timely diagnosis in the field. He also explores integrated management strategies, emphasizing the importance of scouting, disease forecasting, and fungicide decision-making to protect yield while preserving economic return. Listeners will gain practical, research-based insights into disease identification, resistance considerations, and season-long approaches to reducing risk in soybean fields.

For more information and disease forecasting tools, please visit: https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/

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Episode 189 – Early Summer Field Update

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After everything our crops have been through this growing season, we are checking in to discuss what impacts weather, delayed planting and other forces have had on crop development. Dr. Stephanie Karhoff joins us to provide a perspective from across Ohio.

Access the Crop Risk Tool here: https://connect.doit.wisc.edu/cpn-risk-tool/.

Remember to subscribe to the CORN Newsletter for weekly updates and recommendations

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Episode 169 – Tar Spot in 2025

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Tar spot concern continues to grow across Ohio as it shows up in more and more fields each year. Each year farmers and researchers wonder if this will be the season it really explodes, causing widespread economic damage. For a background on Tar Spot, check out episodes 123 and 101.

In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Karhoff updates us on the latest research and treatment recommendations for managing not only Tar Spot but Gibberella ear rot and the vomitoxin it causes. Each disease has certain weather conditions and infection timing that are critical components to successfully managing it in field. The Crop Protection Network’s disease forecasting tool can afford insight into what to look for during scouting: https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/crop-disease-forecasting.

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Episode 144 – Dealing with DON

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There is nothing more frustrating than getting rejected at the elevator due to high vomitoxin (aka DON) levels. DON is produced by a fungi produced on the ear and is usually infected at the time of pollination. To give farmers a better perspective of what happens behind the scenes at a grain elevator, we interview 3 grain merchandisers on their process when DON test levels start creeping up.

Jason Beckman (Poet), Lisa Mitchell (Gerald Grain), and Seth Miller (The Anderson) take us behind the scenes of their operations to look at testing, grain flow and market impacts. We end with some quick reminders about DON management and to check the C.O.R.N. Newsletter for updates and research on corn fungicide and disease.

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Episode 123 – Tar Spot

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If you grow or scout corn in Ohio, you have probably heard rumblings of a new disease called Tar Spot. Pictures from neighboring states to the north and west show bleak images of entire corn fields dead before their time. While researchers are still assessing the threat potential for tar spot in Ohio, it has made appearances across the state and has many farmers quite concerned. To tell us more about this new disease, Dr. Stephanie Karhoff joins us to share what she has seen and learned in her time in NW Ohio.

Stay up-to-date on the latest in agronomic issues by subscribing to the C.O.R.N. Newsletter.

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Episode 121 – Corn and Soybean Diseases

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Mid to late summer attentions quickly turn to fungicide applications and talk of what needs sprayed for that particular year. This year is no exception with the varying weather conditions that seem to appeal to each and every disease. Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora and Jason Hartschuh talk about which diseases in corn and soybeans we should watch out for and provide more information on scouting and pulling the trigger on application.

If you are interested in sending soybean samples in for disease analysis, address them to:

OSU Soybean Pathology and Nematology Laboratory
Attn: Horacio Lopez-Nicora
110 Kottman Hall
2021 Coffey Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43210

You can reach Horacio at lopez-nicora.1@osu.edu and Jason at Hartschuh.11@osu.edu.

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Episode 115 – Insect and Disease Pressure in Cool Soils

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Planting conditions were really good in early April which led to a significant amount of corn and soybeans planted early this year. With the turn to cold, wet conditions, much of that seed has sat without emerging for 2-3 weeks. What impact will that have on insect and disease pressure? How might it affect replant considerations?

To answer these questions, Dr. Kelley Tilmon and Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora join us to discuss the effectiveness of seed treatment, which insects and diseases we should be concerned about and some cultural considerations to prevent infestations.

For more on insects, please visit: aginsects.osu.edu/. Subscribe to the CORN newsletter for regular updates from these specialists.

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Episode 101 – Tar Spot and Other Corn Diseases

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Tar spot has been found in Western Indiana. After an unprecedented outbreak in NW Ohio last year, many farmers are wondering what to expect this year, and what can be done to protect their crop. Dr. Pierce Paul, Plant Pathologist for Corn and Small Grains at OSU, shares what we know about tar spot and recommendations for control.

We also discuss the more common diseases Gray Leaf Spot and Northern Corn Leaf Blight. Listen in for suggestions on keeping corn clean this season.

For updates on corn and wheat disease management, subscribe to the C.O.R.N. Newsletter.

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