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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Crop Production and Pest Control Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #373107
Research Project: Molecular Mechanisms of Host-Fungal Pathogen Interactions in Cereal Crops

Location: Crop Production and Pest Control Research

Title: Tar Spot, an emerging disease threatening corn production in the US

Author
item Singh, Raksha
item Goodwin, Stephen - Steve

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2020
Publication Date: 2/2/2020
Citation: Singh, R., Goodwin, S.B. 2020. Tar Spot, an emerging disease threatening corn production in the US. In: Proceedings of Indiana Science Communication Day, May 2, 2020, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Interpretive Summary: Tar Spot is a disease of corn, caused by the pathogen named Phyllachora maydis. Disease symptoms appear as small, raised, irregular-shape black lesions scattered on the surface of leaves, stalks, and husks of corn. Tar Spot has recently emerged as an economic concern for corn production in the United states. There is very little information about this disease and the pathogen. Tar Spot was first identified in the United States in northern Indiana and Illinois in 2015. Since 2015, Tar Spot has spread and become established in the Midwest. The first epidemic of Tar Spot was reported in Indiana resulted in estimated corn grain yield losses ranging from 20-60 bushel/Acre. We study how we can control Tar Spot and the first step we are taking is to identify the U.S. corn cultivars for resistance against tar spot. Identifying resistant cultivar is of utmost importance for disease management. Further detailed study on the Phyllachora maydis-Corn interaction could led to the development of novel and more effective control methods against Tar Spot and therefore is a high priority.

Technical Abstract: Tar Spot is a disease of corn, caused by the pathogen named Phyllachora maydis. Disease symptoms appear as small, raised, irregular-shaped black lesions scattered on the surface of leaves, stalks, and husks of corn. Tar Spot has recently emerged as an economic concern for corn production in the United states. There is very little information about this disease and the pathogen. Tar Spot was first identified in the United States in northern Indiana and Illinois in 2015. Since 2015, Tar Spot has spread and become established in the Midwest. The first epidemic of Tar Spot reported in Indiana resulted in estimated corn grain yield losses ranging from 20-60 bushels/Acre. We study how we can control Tar Spot and the first step we are taking is to identify U.S. corn cultivars with resistance against tar spot. Identifying resistant cultivars is of utmost importance for disease management. Further detailed study on the Phyllachora maydis-Corn interaction could lead to the development of novel and more effective control methods against Tar Spot and therefore is a high priority.