Diseases are the number one limiting factor in field crop performance and yields in Ohio.

Ohio State University Extension has several plant pathology bulletins available to aid farmers in effectively managing diseases that impact corn, soybeans and wheat.

“When designing a disease management system it is important to consider all of the different strategies to reduce the level of the disease. Integrated disease management systems incorporate as many disease control strategies as possible,” said Dennis Mills, an Ohio State University plant pathologist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. “Disease-resistant varieties, crop rotation and tillage are especially important. Factors such as balanced fertility and soil pH, planting date and rate, and seed treatments are also important, and in some cases foliar fungicides may be used to stop serious disease development.”

Farmers, crop consultants, and agricultural businesses throughout Ohio can obtain the bulletins for a nominal fee by contacting their local county Extension office. Out-of-state individuals can contact Media Distribution at (614) 292-1607 to order copies.

The following bulletins are available:

• Wheat Disease Management in Ohio, Bulletin 785 — Disease is one of the major factors limiting wheat yields in Ohio where losses as high as 30 percent to 50 percent can occur if disease control has not been practiced. Effective disease management requires knowledge of the important yield-limiting diseases most likely to occur in Ohio. This bulletin addresses the essential components of the disease symptoms with color images, the environmental factors favoring the disease, the method of transmission and infection, and management options for the major diseases affecting wheat in Ohio. The cost of the bulletin is $4.75.
• Corn Disease Management in Ohio, Bulletin 802 — Five to 15 percent of Ohio’s corn crop is lost to disease each year, amounting to nearly $100 million in lost farm income. Corn diseases include seedling diseases, leaf blights, stalk rots, ear and kernel rots, and viruses. This bulletin describes the disease symptoms, provides color images, and gives the environmental factors favoring the disease, the method of transmission and infection, and management options for the major diseases affecting corn in Ohio. The cost of the bulletin is $5.75.
• Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa Field Guide, Bulletin 827 — The Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa Field Guide was designed as a pocket guide to be used by scouts, educators, consultants, and growers when scouting fields. This bulletin contains valuable management information, photos, and diagrams on insect, disease, and weed identification for the listed crops, along with agronomic and no-till information. The cost of the bulletin is $8.50.
• Profitable Soybean Disease Management in Ohio, Bulletin 895 — Ohio soybean growers are intensifying soybean production, and it is imperative that good disease management programs are in place to limit losses. This bulletin addresses the essential components of the disease symptoms with color images, the environmental factors favoring the disease, the method of transmission and infection, and management options for the major diseases affecting soybeans in Ohio. The cost of the bulletin is $2.25.

For more information on managing field crop diseases in Ohio, log on here