Tar Spot Disease Showing Up In Central Indiana Fields

Reynolds Farm Equipment Blog

August 23, 2021

From the desk of the Reynolds Agronomy Team:

  • Grey Leaf Spot and Northern Leaf Blight had been the diseases up to this point infecting Central Indiana fields.
  • Earlier this week while scouting in Clinton, Hancock, Madison and Tipton Counties, we came across Tar Spot.
Tar Spot
Tar Spot

Tar Spot Corn Crop

Tar Spot is a fairly new disease to Central Indiana. Tar Spot was first discovered in the Northwest corner of Indiana in 2015. It has since then quickly spread into several states and counties. We are still learning about this disease and the control measures we need to take to manage it. This year Tar Spot has infected fields much earlier than in prior years. There is not enough research out that shows the economical effects that Tar Spot will make on yield this late in the growing season.

As with any disease, we need to monitor the severity throughout the growing season and help growers make the best decisions on control measures.

Want help with Tar Spot or have questions?