Sweet Corn Stunting and Early Silking: Stewart's Wilt Diagnosis

First planting of sweet corn is stunted with premature silk emergence — classic symptoms of Stewart's wilt (caused by Erwinia stewartii), vectored by corn flea beetles. Bacteria enter feeding wounds, kill the growing point, cause wilting, and produce pale streaks on leaves.

Action Plan

1. Remove and burn infected plants immediately.
2. Apply insecticide for flea beetle control on remaining crop (Sevin, Asana, Pounce, Warrior — follow labels).
3. Plant resistant/tolerant varieties in future.
4. Early insecticide applications on susceptible varieties.

— Mack Jean, Master Gardener, Tennessee