Corn and soybean farmers in many areas found themselves dealing with white mold in soybeans and ear rots in corn during 2009, Purdue plant pathologist Kiersten Wise says growers can take measures to reduce the chances of those being an issue in 2010. “The number one thing you can do is try to select either a hybrid or variety in soybeans that has some type of resistance to the disease,” said the Purdue plant pathologist. “With corn we do see wide differences in the level of resistance to both Diplodia and Gibberella ear rot, so growers will want to take note if they had problems this year what those hybrids were and maybe select a different hybrid, something with a level of resistance to go in the field the next time.” In addition to hybrid and variety selection, Wise says crop rotation and tillage practices should also be considered.
