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MARYVILLE

KXCV-KRNW


News Brief

July 9, 2024St. Joseph, Mo. |  By: Jeremy Werner

Officials: Tar spots sighted in NWMO region

tar spot

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The University of Missouri Extension Office says a damaging corn disease, tar spot, is spreading in Missouri, confirmed in 19 counties this year.

Since its first appearance in the state in 2018, nearly half of Missouri's counties have reported cases. The affected counties in 2024 in the KXCV/KRNW listening area include Nodaway, Gentry, Carroll, and Andrew.

Tar spot is typically found at low levels in the lower corn canopy, but it can spread to husks and leaf sheaths in severe cases. The disease is identified by small, raised black spots on both leaf surfaces, which can't be scraped off.

State officials recommends applying fungicides at the VTR3 stages for the best results during high outbreak years. Early or late applications have not proven cost-effective.

Farmers can use the Tar Spotter app to assess their risk and determine the need for fungicides.