Crown rot disease found in corn has been increasing for more than a decade, capturing the concern of producers and the industry. Often, the first indication of crown rot disease is the sudden discoloration and death of a few to large clusters of corn plants in the weeks leading up to harvest. Digging plants and splitting the lower stalks and crowns through the root ball often reveal obvious discoloration and decay that may also extend into roots. Unfortunately, the disease is not well understood, leaving basic questions about the causal pathogen(s) and factors influencing disease development unanswered. This project seeks to unravel the questions behind crown rot including identifying the species causing disease, other potential contributing factors and to identify the source of the pathogen(s) responsible.