By Blake Jackson
This year, corn stunt disease, a long-known issue in Central and South America, has spread to Missouri, raising concerns among scientists. Previously confined to Texas, the disease is carried by leafhoppers, which have recently moved into new regions. The disease is known to significantly reduce corn yields, which is why its spread to Missouri is causing alarm.
“How is this leafhopper spreading across all these northern states? Will it survive over the winter, for example here in Kansas? So those questions, we don’t have a good answer for right now," said Rodrigo Onofre, a crop pathologist at Kansas State University Extension.
The key concern now is whether these leafhoppers, and the disease they carry, will survive the winter in Missouri. Onofre noted that there is still no clear answer to how the disease might impact corn production in the state in the coming seasons. The situation calls for further research to understand the long-term effects and help farmers adapt to this unexpected challenge.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dszc
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Corn