Collaborative effort aims to shield corn from tar spot
By Farms.com
In a significant collaboration, Purdue University’s experts in agriculture and engineering are teaming up with Insignium AgTech to tackle the increasing threat of tar spot in corn.
Funded by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and supported by state innovation initiatives, this project aims to develop early detection capabilities that could prevent widespread crop damage.
Using genetic modifications and advanced imaging technologies, the team is poised to transform how farmers detect and manage tar spots. Kyle Mohler, Insignium’s CEO, notes the innovative use of a gene that prompts leaves to show early signs of infection, enabling timely treatment strategies.
At the heart of the research, Purdue’s C.D. Cruz and his colleagues are advancing our understanding of the disease’s behavior, which is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Jian Jin’s LeafSpec technology offers unprecedented detail in plant health monitoring, integrating AI to enhance diagnostic precision.
Tar spot has drastically affected U.S. corn production since its emergence, with some regions experiencing up to 50% yield losses. The disease’s rapid spread and the vulnerability of American corn varieties have made it a focal point of agricultural research.
This ongoing effort underscores the critical role of academic-industrial partnerships in advancing agricultural technology and disease management, promising to deliver new solutions by the end of 2024 that will enable farmers to stay ahead of this devastating disease.