Douglas B. Gucker 
IL Extension
dgucker@illinois.edu

Douglas B. Gucker 
IL Extension
dgucker@illinois.edu

DOUGLAS B. GUCKER UPDATES

Region 5 | September 3, 2026 | DeWitt, Macon & Piatt

Doug Gucker
dgucker@illinois.edu

Early maturity soybean fields are turing yellow and approaching the R8, Full Maturity stage.
Caption: Early maturity soybean fields are approaching the R8, Full Maturity stage.
Two ears of corn, with one being over 9 inches long and the other less than 6 inches. Both ears were from the same row of corn.
Caption: There appears to be variability in the corn ear lengths. Both ears were picked from the same row, one is over 9″ long and the other is less than 6″ long.
Lower corn stalk and root ball split open and showing what was diagnosed to be Rhizoctonia crown and stem rot, and Pythium crown and/or stem rot.
Caption: Six corn samples sent to the U of I Plant Clinic were diagnosed with having both Rhizoctonia crown and stem rot, and Pythium crown and/or root rot.
SYNOPSIS

Early-maturity soybean fields are turning yellow and shedding leaves as they approach the R8 (Full Maturity) stage. Most soybean fields are just beginning to show a little yellow.
Corn harvest has just started, with a few farmers taking out end rows and taking advantage of local elevators offering reduced drying charges for corn at moisture levels under 30%. Corn root and lower stalk samples from fields with lodging issues were submitted to the U of I Plant Clinic and were diagnosed with both Rhizoctonia crown and stem rot and Pythium crown and/or root rot. Corn ears are varying quite a bit in size within fields.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THIS COUNTY?
Mildly Dry (soil is drier than normal, plant growth may have slowed)
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