Farmers Need To Scout For Corn Tar This Summer

A fungal pest that’s relatively new to Missouri could spread further this year. University of Missouri plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette says while corn tar spot normally doesn’t appear until the summer, it’s important to keep an eye out and make preparations now in the event it arrives in your field.

Corn tar spot overwinters on stubble and other residue from the crop, making it susceptible to spreading by way of blowing into neighboring fields or being carried by runoff from rain. Bissonnette says damp, humid conditions can hasten its spread.

Corn tar spot was first detected in Missouri in 2019 with cases appearing in Clark, Lewis and Scotland counties. The pest was also detected in a Marion County field last year.