Spencer, IA: (Aug 30, 2012) - A noted plant pathologist says Iowa corn growers should scout their fields for signs of a fungus that can lead to aflatoxin in corn.

Dr. Alison Robertson told attendees at the Farm Progress Show on Wednesday that hot and dry conditions at the time corn silked has resulted in more findings of aspergillus ear rot, the precussor of aflatoxin.
Robertson talks about how to scout for the aspergillus ear rot fungus.



Robertson says aflatoxin can form inside the kernel of a fungus-infected plant about the time corn black-layers.  She says if a grower finds aspergillus ear rot fungus in their corn, the first call they should make is to their crop insurance agent.



Robertson says the occurrence of aflatoxin is rare,  but if found, it may affect the marketability of the corn, thus the need to scout.