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What's Causing Black "Dusty" Corn?

Oct 17, 2016
By Tamra Jackson-Ziems
Extension Plant Pathologist
 
Figures 1a and b. Growth of fungi feeding on dead/decaying tissue and their black spores on corn husks (a) (and other plant parts) may give it a dark, dusty appearance, especially during harvest. The ear itself is usually unaffected by these fungi (b).
 
Growers are reporting the appearance of black to gray discoloration or “dust” on corn plants. In some cases, large amounts of black “dust” have been reported from combines during harvest, sometimes looking like a cloud of smoke following the combine. The large amount of microscopic spores produced by some fungi can cause this phenomenon.
 
Diseases such as common smut have been common this year and could have contributed to the appearance of these spores. In addition, the late season rainfall has created a favorable environment for other common fungi to flourish and rapidly produce copious amounts of spores. Some of these fungi, such as Alternaria spp., grow on dead plant tissue, like corn husks, but don’t typically cause damage to the ear underneath (Figures 1a and 1b).
 
No management is necessary for this issue and it’s not expected to damage the corn, although dust masks may be advised for those who are prone to respiratory issues and sensitive to particulate matter.