Vomitoxin or deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungus Gibberella zeae (also known as Fusarium graminearum). Gibberella zeae causes Gibberella ear and stalk rot of corn and fusarium head blight or head scab of wheat. It may also infect soybean seedlings, causing damping off. Vomitoxin contamination in corn grain can be harmful to humans and animals at certain levels. As the name suggests, vomitoxin provokes vomiting and may also cause feed refusal and suppression of the immune system. Gibberella ear rot (GER) and vomitoxin contamination threaten not only corn yield, but also grain quality and has become a pressing issue for Ohio corn growers.
To address this issue, the Ohio Corn Checkoff has funded research conducted by Ohio State University Extension focused on mitigating and preventing GER and vomitoxin. This includes work evaluating fungicide application timing and method.Â
Of the many fungicides available for corn disease management, two are considered to be the most consistently effective at suppressing GER and DON. These two products are Proline and Miravis Neo. They have shown the best results when applied when silks are still wet (early- to mid-R1). The fungicide must penetrate the canopy and reach the corn silks when they are still wet to be effective. Applications made after silks are dry and brown are considerably less effective at reducing DON.
Since canopy penetration and silk coverage is key, we are also evaluating application method efficacy. Current small-plot trials are comparing drone and high clearance ground sprayers and we are currently seeking cooperators to participate in eFields on-farm trials also including aerial applications.Â
For more information, contact Dr. Pierce Paul, Extension State Specialist, Cereal Crop Pathology at paul.661@osu.edu, Jason Hartschuh, Field Specialist, Dairy and Precision Livestock at hartschuh.11@osu.edu, or Dr. Stephanie Karhoff, Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems at karhoff.41@osu.edu