When should Gibberella Stalk Rot scouting be conducted?

Gibberella Stalk Rot is a fungal disease that often manifests in corn crops and is associated with specific environmental conditions and plant growth stages. Scouting for Gibberella Stalk Rot is best conducted from mid-August to October because this timing aligns with the critical period when the disease becomes evident, particularly as the corn reaches maturity.

During this period, the plant is under stress from various factors such as drought or injury that can exacerbate the disease. The symptoms—like premature plant death, discoloration, and rot—are more visible then, allowing for more effective monitoring and management decisions. Additionally, the identification of the disease in its later stages can help inform harvest strategies and prevent potential losses due to compromised stalk integrity at harvest time.

In contrast, the other periods mentioned (April to May, June to July, and September to November) do not align with the disease's peak visibility. For example, early spring scouting may not reveal infection because the disease may not show symptoms until later in the growing season, and scouting into November may be too late to address any issues arising from this rot as harvest may already be completed. Therefore, mid-August to October signifies the most strategic time for scouting Gibberella Stalk Rot.