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A sweet corn sample from a home garden in west Alabama was recently diagnosed with crazy top, a disease caused by the pathogen Sclerophthora macrospora. Symptoms of crazy top can include excessive tillering, rolling, and twisting of the upper leaves. Later, infected plants produce a leafy tassel. Symptoms can vary depending on the time of infection and amount of disease present. Infected plants usually don’t produce a corn ear.

Recent wet conditions in the state likely have led to limited outbreaks of this disease. Crazy top typically develops when soils have been flooded shortly after planting or before plants are in the 4- to 5-leaf stage. Pooling of water in the whorl and/or saturation of the soil for 1 to 2 days can lead to infection.

Crazy top can damage plants in low-lying areas of the garden or field that are susceptible to flooding. This disease is best managed by improving drainage or by avoiding low, wet areas when planting corn. Removing infected plants can reduce disease inoculum in the area for the next year.

Alabama Extension’s recommendations include products by active ingredients and labeled use rates for the primary pests of turfgrass. Before using an insecticide, it is important to properly identify the pest. Alabama Extension has information describing the identification, biology, and management of many of the important pests of turfgrass. If an insecticide is needed, read the labeled instructions even if you have previously used the product. There have been changes in insecticide labeling recently, especially related to location and timing.

 

Download the Commercial Turf and Lawn Insects IPM Guide, IPM-1313.

IPM guides for other crops as well as a general IPM overview, safety recommendations and directions for submitting samples can be found in the Integrated Pest Management Guides.

 

For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact Extension Communications and Marketing at 334-844-5696 or extcomm@aces.edu.

Alabama Extension’s recommendations include products by active ingredients and labeled use rates for the primary diseases of turfgrass. Before using an insecticide, it is important to properly identify the pest. Alabama Extension has information describing the identification, biology, and management of many of the important pests of turfgrass. If an insecticide is needed, read the labeled instructions even if you have previously used the product. There have been changes in insecticide labeling recently, especially related to location and timing.

 

Download the Commercial Turf and Lawn Disease IPM Guide, IPM-1291.

IPM guides for other crops as well as a general IPM overview, safety recommendations and directions for submitting samples can be found in the Integrated Pest Management Guides.

 

For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact Extension Communications and Marketing at 334-844-5696 or extcomm@aces.edu.