Crown Rot in Corn: What Growers Need to Know This Season

What is crown rot in corn, and how can growers reduce the risk this season? In this video, Chris Kallal with Advanced Agrilytics explains how crown rot develops, why cool and wet early-season conditions increase infection risk, and how plant stress during grain fill can worsen disease severity. Chris also discusses practical management considerations, including: Early-season environmental conditions that favor infection How stress impacts disease severity during grain fill The role of fungicide applications at V5/V6 and VT/R1 Why reducing plant stress matters more than targeting crown rot directly Research insights on sucrose production and stress mitigation If you’re evaluating fungicide timing and looking to protect yield potential and standability this season, this is a great overview of the key considerations around crown rot management in corn.