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News Brief

Sept. 16, 2022St. Joseph, Mo. |  By: Steven Crosby

New plant disease spotted in parts of MO

tar spot

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - A new plant disease is being spotted in Missouri. The University of Missouri's Plant Diagnostic Clinic confirmed tar spot in samples collected from the counties of Lewis and Holt.

Tar spot is a disease that affects corn and is an emerging disease threat. Tar spot appears as circular or ovular black dots on both sides of leaves, or on the sheaths and husks.

A brown or tan halo may also appear surrounding the dots, which show up as either individuals or in groups. Tar spot can appear on both brown and green tissue.

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Field specialist in agronomy Wayne Flanary says if you suspect tar spot, submit samples to the diagnostic clinic for confirmation. Visit plantclinic.missouri.edu for instructions on submitting samples.