Eye Spot

Symptoms:

  • Initial lesions are small, circular (1 to 4 mm diameter) and water soaked, with yellow halos
  • Lesions develop into an "eyespot", which is a tan spot surrounded by a brown to purple ring and yellow halo
  • These lesions most often will appear in patches on leaves, and can join together to form large necrotic areas
  • Lesions will mainly be concentrated on the upper surface of corn leaves, but can sometimes be found on leaf sheaths and husks
  • These symptoms may be confused with lesions of Curvularia leaf spot, a physiological leaf spot, or a genetic leaf spot

Pathogen Involved:

  • Kabatiella zeae (a fungus)
  • Overwinters in corn residue
  • Corn is the only reported host

Time of Occurrence:

  • The initial lesions can occur as early as silking or as late as corn maturity

Conditions Favoring Disease:

  • Cool temperatures and humid conditions
  • Continuous corn
  • Conservation tillage

Disease Management:

  • Use resistant corn hybrids
  • Crop rotation
  • Reduction of corn residue with tillage where appropriate