Northern corn leaf blight
scouted Sept. 8, 2026
- Scientific Name
- Exserohilum turcicum
- Background
- A corn field in Haywood County was being scouted, and it was observed that the field was affected by Gray leaf spot. A sample was submitted to the PDIC for diagnosis.
- Conclusion
- The lesions were identified and Northern Corn Leaf Blight. This disease usually presents as cigar shaped lesions that become grayish or tan and have dark gray or green masses of fungal spores in the center. Late season development of NCLB will likely have reduced impact on yield. Several option for management area available for NCLB, but the most effective option is to plant less susceptible hybrids. Crop rotation and residue management can help reduce primary inoculum. Preventative applications are most effective and the most successful timing for foliar application has been VT/R1.