Tar spot was first identified in the United States nearly 10 years ago. Unfortunately, growers in the corn belt are much more familiar with this yield robber in 2023 after several growing seasons of dealing with yield loss from tar spot pressure.
Unfortunately, the yield robbing fungus is here to stay for the foreseeable future says Gary Schmitz a tech service regional manager with BASF.
Yield losses in tar spot result from reduced photosynthetic capacity of the corn plant during the grain fill portion of the growing season which leads to poor grain fill and reduced kernel weight.
Schmitz says that moisture is needed for tar spot to thrive and the wetter areas of the Midwest are more at risk for the disease.
Central Iowa has been one of the hot spots for tar spot this growing season after receiving moderate rains to kick off the growing season. Schmitz says that Iowa growers at risk for the fungus, need to take action to help control the disease.
Schmitz says that BASF’s Veltyma fungicide has been making strides in battling tar spot.
For more information visit https://agriculture.basf.us/content/basf/cxm/agriculture/us/en/agriculture.html
