Diseases

Fusarium Ear Rot of Maize

Zea mays L.

A complex of maize diseases caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium, affecting seedlings, roots, stalks, and ears. Resistance to the pathogen is a complex polygenic trait associated with agronomic practices and resistance to pests.

In the reference 852 varieties crop Maize, where this is mentioned in the description.

The disease is caused by several fungal species, among which the primary pathogens of ears are considered to be Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium graminearum, as well as F. proliferatum, F. subglutinans, F. culmorum, and F. poae. Seedling infection leads to their death or necrosis of the sprouts, whereas stalk rot manifests after flowering through softening of the pith, leaf wilting, and stalk breakage.

Fusarium ear rot manifests during the milk-dough stage with the formation of white or pinkish cobweb-like mycelium, during which kernels turn brown and decay, and husks may become glued together by the mycelium. Maize resistance to Fusarium is quantitative in nature, and molecular markers such as SSR85 are used to evaluate promising lines, as specific R-genes for resistance are absent.

General information about the subject — on the page Fusarium wilt and blight.

Sources8

Varieties of Maize mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.