The wet spring in 2017 delayed planting and created conditions favorable for the development and spread of fungal pathogens in Iowa. Additionally, late-planting put corn and soybeans at an even greater risk of fungal disease.

In recent years, Iowa growers have consistently experienced Northern corn leaf blight, rust and gray leaf spot pressure in corn, and frogeye leaf spot pressure in soybeans.

These diseases, among others, have the potential to cause significant yield loss every season, particularly in fields where the same crop is continuously planted year-after-year and preventive measures to control disease are not taken.

Overwintering diseases

Corn diseases such as Northern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot and anthracnose, as well as frogeye leaf spot in soybeans, all have the potential to overwinter. ...