Douglas B. Gucker 
IL Extension
dgucker@illinois.edu

Douglas B. Gucker 
IL Extension
dgucker@illinois.edu

DOUGLAS B. GUCKER UPDATES

Region 5 | August 20, 2026 | DeWitt, Macon, & Piatt

Doug Gucker
dgucker@illinois.edu

Soybean plants with seed pods from the ground to the top in the R6, Full Seed stage of development.
Caption: Advanced soybeans are in the R6, Full Seed stage.
The milk line is evident corn ears in the R5, Dent Stage. The milk line is about 1/3 of the way down the length of the kernel.
Caption: The milk line is now visible in corn in the Dent Stage.
A corn stem split open to show the lower stem and root crown. The exposed portion of the root crown is discolored and not a healthy white color. This infection is possibly Corn Crown Rot.
Caption: Corn crown rot is beginning to show in lower, compacted areas of some fields. This disease does not become evident until corn is in or approaching the Dent stage.
SYNOPSIS

Generally, the corn and soybean fields look very good. The exceptions are fields that have been damaged by severe weather, or flooding.
Over the past week, symptoms of Corn Crown Rot have become visible in areas of some fields. What I am seeing is these affected areas are patches of dead, lodging corn plants. Dr. Boris Camiletti, Extension Plant Pathologist, said the photo above appeared to be Corn Crown Rot. A sample is being sent to the U of I Plant Clinic for a diagnosis. Corn crown rot disease infects corn plants in the early portion of the growing season, and the disease is more prevalent in wet, compacted soils.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THIS COUNTY?
Moderately Wet (soil is damp, standing water may be present in low areas, water bodies are full)
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