Diseases

Maize rust

Zea mays L.

A fungal disease of maize caused by the pathogen Puccinia sorghi. It manifests as the formation of brown urediniospores on the leaves, leading to impaired photosynthesis, desiccation of the leaf blade, and a reduction in grain quality.

In the reference 77 varieties crop Maize, where this is mentioned in the description.

The main causative agent of the disease is the heteroecious rust fungus Puccinia sorghi. In the life cycle of the fungus, the stage of maize infection is carried out by urediniospores, which persist on plant debris and can also develop on plants of the genus Oxalis.

Primary symptoms in the form of light yellow spots appear in the second half of the growing season. Subsequently, elongated brown pustules form in their place, rupturing the epidermis, and by the end of the growing season, black teliospores develop.

The harmfulness of the disease is due to a reduction in the assimilatory leaf surface, which entails premature drying of the plant. This leads to underdeveloped ears and the formation of shriveled grain.

General information about the subject — on the page Rust.

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.