Pathogen(s) causing disease: Aspergillus flavus, A. glaucus, A. nigerÂ
Symptoms: Aspergillus niger appears as a black mold on infected kernels. A. flavus is a greenish-yellow mold growing on damaged kernels. A. glaucus is a greenish mold. Most common at tip of ear and scattered on a few kernels on ear.
Conditions: A. flavus is more common following hot, dry weather, injury by drought stress and insect damage. A. flavuscan produce a carcinogenic secondary metabolite known as aflatoxin.  It can grow at temperatures higher than 90° F, and grain moisture content as low as 14-15 percent. Â
Management: In storage, controlled by drying corn to a moisture content below 15 per cent as soon after harvest as possible. In the field, avoid insect or mechanical damage to ears.
Sources:
Purdue University
University of Illinois
