Purdue: Pest&Crop Newsletter
March 12, 2010
Welcome to a new year of the Pest&Crop Newsletter! Here is the link Issue 1.
June 27, 2008 Agronomy
In the past week, I have viewed several corn fields around the Vassar, MI, area which are believed to be infested with Holcus leaf spot.
I’ve also submitted leaf samples to the MSU plant diagnostic lab for confirmation.
Holcus leaf spot is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae. Its host range is extremely broad and includes grasses such as foxtail millet, pearl millet, Sudan grass, Johnson grass, wheat and sorghum.

The spots are round, oval spots that may appear light tan in color. They spots may also appear water soaked at the margins or have a light brown border occurring on the leaves. Spots are initially about 1/4 inch in diameter, but are sometimes larger and can also appear irregular with streaks of dead tissue. The lesions later dry out, turn light brown, and have a papery texture. Many times the spots resemble chemical injury similar to paraquat drift.
Holcus leaf spot is mostly cosmetic and does not result in yield loss. These spots occur from bacteria splashed onto the leaves and invade the plants through stomates or wounds caused by hail, blowing soil or wind. The infestation often results following warm (77-86 degree F.), rainy weather early in the season.
When the disease is a problem, crop rotation and tillage of debris are often recommended for control, although they are not very effective because of the broad host range of the bacterium.
TEX
Tex Young, CCA
Sales Agronomist
Great Lakes Hybrids
March 12, 2010
Welcome to a new year of the Pest&Crop Newsletter! Here is the link Issue 1.
March 11, 2010
ANAHIEM, Calif. (DTN) — While a few companies will shoulder the brunt of criticism in upcoming discussions on the competitive climate — or lack of one — in agriculture, the reputation for all of agriculture may be at stake.
March 11, 2010
Editor’s Note: Dan Davidson provides insight into what farmers might do this spring to deal with wet soil conditions. The information was provided specifically to AgProfessional so that readers can talk with customers about alternative field work that might be necessary this spring and to allow consultants and ag retailers to determine recommendations for fertilizer programs fitting into a farmer’s unusual spring workload.
March 11, 2010
Click here to follow the link to ISU’s website
March 11, 2010
We’ve published new articles for the MSU Field CAT Alert newsletter.