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News Brief

July 7, 2023St. Joseph, Mo. |  By: Caden Peck

Experts urge farmers to watch out for tar spots

corn field

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - As harvest seasons begin to appear on the horizon, a new disease may be attacking crops. Tar Spot is a fungus that attacks corn, causing small black raised lesions on the top and bottom of corn leaves.

Agronomy Field Specialist Wayne Flanary notes that it can be easily mis-identified as dirt or grass, but scraping tar spots with a fingernail will not lift them. If lesions stay in place, it's likely the fungus.

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If you are suspicious that a crop may have Tar Spot, you can contact an Agronomy extension office for a follow-up at 816-279-1691 or at 913-220-3670.