Causal Agent:
Fungus (Stenocarpella macrospora syn Diplodia macrospora)
| Characteristic Symptoms: | |
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On stalk, oval, irregular or elongate lesions with pale cream-brown centres and indeterminate darker borders are formed. |
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On leaves, diamond shaped brown lesions are formed. |
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On ear, early infections result in bleached or straw-coloured husks. Inner husks adhere tightly to one another or to the ear due to mycelial growth in between. Black pycnidia may be formed. |
| Conditions for Disease Development: | |
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Unbalanced fertility, low K, poor drainage, mechanical and insect damage, cultivar and planting density all influence disease severity. |
| Management and Control: | |
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Use fungicide-treated seeds.
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Avoid low K and high N fertilization. |
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Crop rotate with non-host to reduce corn residues and disease inoculum.
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Apply fungicides such as benomyl (e.g. Benlate®, Benophyl®) or maneb(e.g. Maneb®). |
References
Stenocarpella macrospora and Stenocarpella maydis. Data Sheets on Quarantine Pests. EPPO quarantine pest.
The CIMMYT Maize Program. 2003. Maize Diseases: A Guide for Field Identification. 4th edition. Mexico, D.F.: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).
To view other diseases, click here.
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