Young sweet corn plants develop yellow, tan, or brown dead streaks in the leaves due to a disease called Stewart's bacterial wilt, caused by the bacterium Erwinia stewartii. Heavily infected plants may wilt and die. This disease is spread by corn flea beetles, so flea beetle feeding marks (narrow white streaks on the foliage) may also be present.

Remove and destroy all infected plants immediately. Plant wilt-resistant sweet corn varieties, and apply flea beetle controls in spring. Keep areas around the garden clean and free of plant debris and weeds to reduce overwintering sites for the flea beetle. Contact your local Extension office for variety and insecticide recommendations.