Boris X. Camiletti Email

Symptoms of Red Crown Rot (RCR), caused by the soilborne fungus Calonectria ilicicola, are now appearing in commercial soybean fields. As of July 29, 2025, leaf, stem, and root symptoms have been observed in commercial fields in Shelby County, an area with a known history of RCR dating back to 2023. Additional cases have been confirmed in research plots in Madison and Macoupin counties, which also have recurring disease pressure.
In Shelby County,…

Symptoms of Red Crown Rot (RCR), caused by the soilborne fungus Calonectria ilicicola, have begun to appear in our 2025 field trials at Illinois farms in Madison and Macoupin counties with a known history of the disease (Figure 1). Similar observations are being reported by colleagues in Kentucky and Indiana, indicating regional disease activity is underway.

Figure 1. Early foliar symptoms of red crown rot in soybean observed in Madison and Macoupin counties on July 17,…

Southern rust of corn, caused by the fungus Puccinia polysora, has now been confirmed in Illinois during the 2025 season, with detections in Perry County in southern Illinois and McLean County in central Illinois. This marks a significant development since the previous update on July 15. With southern rust now present in the state, it is critical for farmers and agronomists to stay alert, scout actively, and be ready to implement timely management strategies to protect yield.…