David Owens, Extension Entomologist, owensd@udel.edu
Congratulations to Roger Schmick Rankin among others for correctly identifying Corn smut in the tassel!
While we often see common smut of corn within ears, the galls can develop on ears, leaves, stalks or even tassels like seen here. Galls begin with a white to silver look and mature to have dark masses of powdery spores inside. Favorable conditions for smut can include wounding of young tissue by wind, hail, or mechanical damage or poor pollination. The dry conditions that we had in July interfered with pollination and may be why we see a bit more smut than usual this season. Crop rotation, resistant hybrids, avoiding plant injury, and proper soil fertility are the most effective management options.
