Identifying and Managing Southern Rust of Corn

Southern rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia polysora and while it is considered a tropical disease, it can occur in the Midwest and Eastern Canada. A similar disease, common rust, is sometimes mistaken for southern rust. Southern rust pustules are raised masses of coloured spores that rupture epidermal leaf tissue. They appear as densely packed small brownish orange ovals and occur almost exclusively on the upper leaf surface (Figure 1). As southern rust pustules age, they become dark brown to black, often forming dark halos around the original pustule. Common rust pustules differ from southern rust because they are more loosely scattered on the leaf surface, are more reddish brown, and elongated in shape. Pustules caused by either disease are usually found on the upper canopy. Infections of both rusts can occur on the same plant, which can make diagnosis difficult.

Disease cycle^1,2

The P. polysora requires a live host to survive, thus in Canada and most of the United States it does not overwinter and must recolonize every year. Rust fungi are biologically complex and require more than one host species to reproduce sexually. However, the spores produced on corn (urediniospores) are capable of indefinite asexual reproduction as long as the corn plant is living and can be re-infected by the urediniospores. North blowing winds carry the urediniospores from tropical areas where they land on corn fields in temperate areas.

Leaf wetness is critical for infection to occur, a dew of six hours is usually enough moisture for infection. Temperature also plays a critical role, while common rust prefers somewhat cooler temperatures of 16 to 25° C southern rust prefers warmer conditions of 25 of 28° C. Therefore, common rust is usually the first to show up and southern rust is typically a late summer occurrence. Under favorable conditions, the infection cycle will continually repeat resulting in secondary infections. Each pustule produces thousands of spores that can infect the plant and produce additional pustules in as few as seven days. If conditions are favorable, disease intensity can reach epidemic levels very quickly. Young leaves are more susceptible and late-planted corn may be at greater risk for infection. Generally, favorable conditions for southern rust are more common in the southern United States, and the disease is more of an economic issue in these states.

Economic impact

Southern rust can rob the plant of nutrients required for grain fill, reducing yield potential. Pustules can rupture the epidermis, impacting water regulation in the leaf. Severe infections can increase susceptibility to stalk rots pathogens. Yield losses as high as 45% have been reported with severe disease.²

Predicting the Occurrence

A map is available that has been developed by a network of Land Grant University Extension systems that is used to monitor the movement of southern corn rust during the growing season. It can be accessed at the website: https://corn.ipmpipe.org/southerncornrust/.

Management

• Cultural practices are of limited value since the spores are wind-blown into the area. However, late planting may increase risk of infection and as such, resistant corn products should be used.
• Most corn products are susceptible to southern rust; however, a few resistant corn products may be available. Resistant corn products may contain a specific gene (Rpp gene) that confers resistance to southern rust. However, in 2008, researchers in Georgia discovered a new strain (race or pathotype) of the southern rust fungus that was not affected by the Rpp9 resistance gene. The new race has increased the concern of the disease in southern areas, and scouting programs should be implemented in the region to monitor fields.
• Foliar fungicides are effective at protecting uninfected leaf tissue from southern rust; however, there currently is no treatment threshold established for this disease. Prior to the use of a fungicide the following factors should be considered:
  • The threat or occurrence of southern rust in the area
  • Stage of development of the crop
  • Yield potential
  • Type of irrigation, if applicable
  • Environmental conditions that favor disease development

Delaro^® Complete fungicide is labeled for the control of southern rust on corn and is recommended to apply at the appearance of the disease. A second application is permitted by the label and should occur within 7- to 14-days of the initial application if environmental conditions persist that favor continued disease development. Two fungicide applications may be needed in environments with high disease pressure. Applying fungicides between the silking (R1) and milk (R3) stages when southern rust has been detected has been the most beneficial at protecting corn yield potential. However, if favorable conditions for the disease continue, additional applications may be needed (Table 1).²

Table 1. Possible benefits of applying fungicide to control southern rust.