Field library

Red Rot

Canes in the middle of a clump dry out and the leaves turn yellow from the tips. Split a suspect cane lengthwise: the inside is dull red with white crossbands, and it smells sour like vinegar. It travels in infected seed sets, so a bad seed lot can carry it into a clean field.

How to scout

From August, split any cane whose leaves are drying while neighbours stay green. Check the seed crop the season before you cut sets from it.