Bacterial leaf streak plagues Colorado corn
Bacterial leaf streak disease is causing yield losses for corn growers in the Western Corn Belt, including western Kansas and Nebraska and eastern Colorado, where it is most severe. It has been observed on field corn, sweet corn, popcorn and volunteer corn.
The Crop Pathology Lab at Colorado State University is conducting a survey in an effort to monitor BLS in corn fields this growing season. The project has been funded by the Colorado Corn Administrative Committee and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, with the goal of determining the distribution and severity of the disease here in Colorado.
This information will be used to develop disease-management strategies, screening corn accession for resistance to BLS and developing epidemiological models of the disease in Colorado and the rest of the Corn Belt. Reseachers encourage farmers to send samples to the CSU diagnostic lab for assessment. The cost of diagnosing the disease will be covered with the funding from the CCAC and FFAR.
“This research is important for the corn industry, but it will also help other industries be prepared as this disease spreads in the U.S.,” said Sally Rockey, executive director of FFAR. “By responding rapidly to this emerging issue, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research hopes to create solutions that will help farmers and reassure their many customers in the United States and around the world.”
CSU researchers are also looking for collaborating growers, consultants and seed representatives to help identify fields for monitoring through the current year, as well as in future years. The goal is to have fields from throughout the corn-growing regions of Colorado. Those willing to assist with these efforts are asked to contact Dr. Kirk Broders, assistant professor of bioagricultural sciences and pest management with an expertise in crop pathogens at CSU, at kirk.broders@colostate.edu or 970-491-0850.
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