Bob Kemerait

Tar spot (Phyllachora maydis) now confirmed in corn Tift, Ben Hill, and Grady Counties in Georgia. Too late to impact early planted corn, but could easily affect late planted corn. UGA Extension

Tar spot disease of corn found today at very low levels in two locations in Tift County, GA. This is the first report in GA in 2025. Tar spot is a month behind southern rust, but could affect late-planted corn if it continues to develop in our state. UGA Extension.

Sent to me this morning by Dr Jared Whitaker from commercial cotton in South Georgia. This is Fusarium wilt in association with likely sting nematodes. Care should be exercised to avoid moving infested soil from this field to other fields. UGA Extension

Southern rust found earlier today by consultant in Bacon Co GA in a field not treated with fungicide. Fungicides may not be needed in every field in southern GA, however Ext agents and I cannot tell you exactly which fields those are. Southern rust can be a very serious problem.

Current reports of southern corn rust from the Southeast. Watching now for a jail-break north. Thanks to numerous crop consultants, especially Caleb Traugh, Brooks Adcock, John Beasley, Bryce Sutherland, and Jordan Cary for sharing samples with UGA Extension.

Thanks to Chris Tyus out of Decatur Co, GA for this image of early season “white mold” on peanuts. Note some damage and formation of BB-like, white structures at crown of plant. Weather (hot days, warm nights, high humidity) is perfect for white mold. Be prepared. UGA Extension

Fusarium wilt affects cotton every year in this specific area of the field. The area increases in size as infested soil moves with tillage and runoff. Take home points: it is critical to diagnose these areas and it is critical to avoid spreading contaminated soil to other fields.

And just like that. Wayne Co in southeastern Georgia positive for southern corn rust. Thanks to John Beasley and his team for cooperation with Mark Frye UGA Extension

Current reports of southern corn rust. The sky is not falling, but I have tremendous respect for this disease. For growers in SW GA, no need for fungicides before tassel or once crop reaches hard-dough stage. Need for fungicide should be considered carefully between these stages.

Current southern corn rust finds in Georgia and Florida. I’m expecting additional counties by tomorrow. UGA Extension

And then there was more… southern rust found in at least 3 fields in Seminole Co and now 1 field in Tift Co. (pics) thanks Dr Eddie Beasley. Southern rust could be anywhere in sw GA, but likely in small amounts for now. That will change as weather is favors spread now. UGA Ext

First report of southern rust in GA in 2025; SW corner of Seminole Co not far from where found in Jackson Co FL. Corn now at soft dough stage. Corn in extreme SW GA should be protected with fungicide at VT and beyond. Weather very favorable. UGA ext

First report of southern corn rust for 2025 comes from Jackson Co, FL. Thanks Caleb Traugh! While none yet known in GA, corn growers in extreme SW GA with corn at tassel or beyond should take threat seriously. Weather now very favorable for infection and spread. UGA Extension

Pictures coming in every day from county agents and crop consultants. Poor, patchy growth in some fields of corn. More often than not, stubby-root and sometimes sting nematodes are the villains. Pictures here from Bleckley and Cook Counties. UGA Extension

Late planted, late harvested corn in Tift Co., Georgia ‘covered up’ with tar spot disease. If tar spot ever comes in early in Georgia corn it will be a significant problem. UGA Extension.

Regrowth cotton and volunteer peanuts in Georgia will continue to feed plant-parasitic nematodes and build disease until killed by frost or other measure. After harvest the cotton and peanuts become a liability for disease and nematode problems in 2025. UGA Extension

The impact of southern blight/stem rot/white mold on peanuts is most obvious immediately after the crop is inverted. No fungicide program can fully eliminate this disease; effective fungicide programs must contain the disease and inhibit spread. Burke Co., GA, UGA Extension

UGA Stripling Irrigation Research Park near Camilla, Georgia. Finally finding soybean rust in our sentinel plots, also rust in Tift County soybeans as well. Too late to matter, but perhaps associated with Hurricane Helene. UGA Extension.

Some confusion in Georgia’s cotton fields with these crumpled leaf symptoms appearing after days and days of wet weather. Almost assuredly symptoms of areolate mildew (Ramulariopsis). Depending upon time left until defoliation, fungicides may be helpful. UGA Extension

Slow in showing up in Georgia’s cotton, areolate mildew is here now in force. Less than a month until defoliation? Don’t worry about it. More than a month to go? There is now reason for concern in southern Georgia. UGA Extension