A sweet corn sample from a home garden in west Alabama was recently diagnosed with crazy top, a disease caused by the pathogen Sclerophthora macrospora. Symptoms of crazy top can include excessive tillering, rolling, and twisting of the upper leaves. Later, infected plants produce a leafy tassel. Symptoms can vary depending on the time of infection and amount of disease present. Infected plants usually don’t produce a corn ear.

Recent wet conditions in the state likely have led to limited outbreaks of this disease. Crazy top typically develops when soils have been flooded shortly after planting or before plants are in the 4- to 5-leaf stage. Pooling of water in the whorl and/or saturation of the soil for 1 to 2 days can lead to infection.

Crazy top can damage plants in low-lying areas of the garden or field that are susceptible to flooding. This disease is best managed by improving drainage or by avoiding low, wet areas when planting corn. Removing infected plants can reduce disease inoculum in the area for the next year.