In 1970, the Southern Corn Leaf Blight (SCLB) sweeps across the South, destroying 15% of the U.S. corn crop. In 1970, the disease was first reported in February from southern Florida, near Belle Glade. By Jun. 18, the disease covered the entire state of Florida, lower Alabama, and most of Mississippi. The lower third of Louisiana and coastal Texas were also infected.

The official scientific response to the corn blight came in August 1972, with the release of the National Academy of Sciences study Genetic Vulnerability of Major Crops. ” The Southern Corn Leaf Blight, said the NAS study, was genetically based – key finding.*