In the 200th episode of the CropWatch Podcast, Nebraska Extension’s plant pathology experts — Kyle Broderick, Tamra Jackson-Ziems and Dylan Mangel — join forces with podcast host and Nebraska Extension Educator Eric Hunt to discuss the current landscape of crop diseases across Nebraska and how growers can respond.
Kyle Broderick, Nebraska Extension Educator and Coordinator of the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic, opens the conversation with a rundown of corn diseases showing up in the field, including bacterial leaf streak, Goss’s wilt, bacterial stalk rot, and a widespread presence of tar spot. In soybean, he notes an uptick in Phytophthora root rot, and shares diagnostic tips for identifying these and other early symptoms in the field.
Tamra Jackson-Ziems, Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist and tar spot specialist, expands on the aggressive spread of tar spot in Nebraska this season and outlines control strategies. She also discusses common smut in corn and available treatment options, before revisiting southern rust — a disease that escalated quickly in 2024. Tamra advises growers to keep an eye on Kansas reports, which often signal what's coming next for Nebraska.
Dylan Mangel, Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist specializing in soybeans, highlights ongoing concerns around soybean gall midge — including its overlap with Phytophthora, which prompted investigations after the midge's appearance in Nebraska into whether there's an interaction between the insect and disease. He also provides management tips for soybean gall midge and white mold, emphasizing the importance of timely treatment decisions.
The team wraps up with a discussion on how upcoming rainfall and humidity could fuel further disease development. They also walk through the role of the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic, stressing the value of fast, accurate testing to help producers make real-time management decisions.
Whether you're battling tar spot, tracking southern rust, or unsure about a soybean disease diagnosis, this episode offers practical insights and a reminder: when in doubt, send a sample.
Follow the links below to listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple; alternatively, you can copy this feed URL and paste it into your favorite podcast app: http://feeds.feedburner.com/NebraskaCropwatch:
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