Goss' Bacterial Wilt (Cornybacterium nebraskense) will infect corn leaves at any stage of plant growth. The blighted area will be dark green to black in color, water-soaked, with angular wavy edges. Spots have a greasy appearance. As spots enlarge, they coalesce forming large lesions that turn brown. Droplets of bacterial exudate may appear on the surface of diseased tissue. The droplets dry, leaving a crystalline substance that glistens in the sunlight.

Disease inoculum overwinters in infected corn leaves, stalks, cobs and ears on or near soil surface. The bacterium survives well in irrigation water. Bacteria penetrate well into leaves through the stomata. Infection is aided by injury to plants from hail wounds, sand blasting, severe rainstorms, and wind. Disease is spread by splashing water and wind blowing infected residue. 

Goss' Wilt occurring in seedlings can be lethal and lead to plant death. While severe to seedlings, infection rarely occurs until later in the season, causing the leaf wilt phase. Losses of 50% have occurred in susceptible hybrids. Planting resistant hybrids, practicing crop rotation, and burial of infected residue all contribute to preventing Goss' Wilt in corn.