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The Problem

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Gibberella ear rot

  • Cause: Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph: Gibberella zeae)
  • Environment: Cool to moderate temperatures and prolonged moisture.
  • Timing: Infection typically occurs during silking (R1). Symptoms generally become visible later in the season during grain fill and maturity (R4–R6).
  • Appearance: Pink-to-reddish mold that begins at the tip of the ear and progresses downward. Mold growth is often uniform across multiple kernels.
  • Risk: Yield loss, decreased grain quality and vomitoxin comtamination.
Photo of corn stalk infected with Gibberella ear rot

Photo of corn cob infected with Gibberella ear rot

Corn ear showing pink-to-red mold across multiple kernels.

Gibberella ear rot spreads downward across infected kernels

Corn ear with extensive mold and damaged kernels

Gibberella ear rot often begins at the ear tip

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Understanding Gibberella Ear Rot in Corn

Gibberella ear rot develops when Fusarium graminearum infects corn ears during pollination under cool, wet conditions. Gibberella ear rot does not require insect or other damage to the silks to contribute to infection. While symptoms may not be obvious early, disease development can accelerate later in the season as favorable moisture persists. The disease can manifest in three key ways:

Tip-down ear infection

Mold commonly begins at the ear tip and progresses downward.

Kernel mold development

Infected kernels appear pink to reddish and may become lightweight or shriveled.

Mycotoxin contamination, such as vomitoxin

Infected grain may contain mycotoxins, even when visual symptoms are mild.

Why GIbberella Ear Rot Matters

Gibberella ear rot is one of the most economically significant ear mold diseases of corn due to its association with deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination (vomitoxin) contamination. Even moderate infections can lead to grain quality issues, market restrictions and livestock health concerns. Effective management is essential to protect yield, grain quality and end-use value.

 

Since Gibberella ear rot develops under cool, wet conditions at silking, it is commonly reported in the northern Corn Belt like Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, where rainfall during pollination drives infection.

Why GIbberella Ear Rot Matters

The Solution

Use Miravis Neo to Fight Gibberella ear rot

  • Active Ingredients: ADEPIDYN® technology, Azoxystrobin, Propiconazole
  • Why Miravis Neo Works: Delivers dual-yield protection with broad‑spectrum disease control with a long‑lasting residual and added plant‑health benefits.
  • Crops: Corn and Soybeans
  • Benefits: Delivers consistent, comprehensive control and is the only premium fungicide labeled for Fusarium / Gibberella ear rots.

Why Use a Cleaner & Greener Fungicide?

From disease to crop stress, you don't know what the season will bring so your yield potential needs protection on all fronts! That's why only Cleaner & Greener fungicides are powered by exclusive ADEPIDYN® and SOLATENOL® technologies to provide a step change in broad-spectrum disease control and protection from crop stress like drought.

Cleaner & Greener