Fusarium stalk rot is considered as major threat to production of maize, accompanied by small losses to total wipeout of the crop. This disease is more prevalent in area where water stress occurs after flowering stage of the crop.

2. Presented By
Farjana Tumpa
BKH1514045F
FUSARIUM ROOT STALK OF MAIZE

3. INTRODUCTION
 Fusarium stalk rot is considered as major threat to
production of maize, accompanied by small losses to total
wipeout of the crop. This disease is more prevalent in area
where water stress occurs after flowering stage of the crop.
 Owing to its soil borne infection pathway, fungicidal control
of Fusarium stalk rot is not effective. A number of
quantitative trait loci have been identified which will help to
expedite breeding program against Fusarium stalk rot.

4.  DISTRIBUTION
This is one of the most devastating soil-borne diseases of maize, occurring
in all continents of the world, including USA , Europe,Africa ,Asia , and
Australia.
 CAUSAL ORGANISM
Fusarium verticilioides (formerly called Fusarium moniliforme )
 Systemic position
Kingdom : Fungi
Phylum : Ascomycota
Class : Sordariomycetes
Subclass : Hypocreomycetidae
Order : Hypocreales
Family : Nectriaceae
Genus :Fusarium
Species : Fusarium verticillioides

5. SYMPTOMS
 Rotting at roots, crown and lower
internodes
 Plants wilt, take on a grayish-green hue,
and then turn tan
 When split, inner stalk shows a light pink
to tan discoloration, but no black specks
(fungal fruiting bodies) in or on the stalk
 Pith disintegrates, vascular bundles remain
intact
 Stalks feel spongy when squeezed and
may be easily crushed or crimped at lower
internodes
 Plants may lodge when pushed sideways or
impacted by wind

6. Disease
cycle

7. FACTORS AFFECTING DEVELOPMENT OF
FUSARIUM STALK ROT
 Fusarium verticillioides is more common in regions with hot and dry
growing conditions , especially before or during pollination .
 Higher temperature reduces the time between wilting and lodging
because heat increases the metabolic rate of fungi.
 The water stress at flowering and high soil temperature help in
increasing of the magnitude of the stalk rot symptoms at post flower
 Disease incidence was greater in sandy soil than in loam or claying
stage
 Stalk rot incidence and severity increase with increased fertility

8. CONTROL MEASURE
 Select hybrids with good stalk strength and resistance to leaf diseases
 Rotate crops. Do not plant corn after wheat infected with head scab,
which is caused by same fungus
 Use a tillage system that chops and incorporates residue to break it down
 Do not use plant populations higher than recommended for the hybrid
 Soil test and follow fertilizer recommendations; maintain proper nitrogen
to potassium balance
 Reduce stresses when possible -- stalk rots are favored by plant stress
following pollination
 Control leaf diseases with fungicides if necessary
 Control corn rootworm and corn borer. Pioneer brand hybrids with
Herculex® Insect Protection traits are available to help manage these
pests
 Scout preharvest to determine stalk condition. Schedule harvest based
on stalk quality as well as grain moisture

9. CONCLUSION
 The stalk rot usually occurs after flowering stage and prior to
physiological maturity, which reduces yields in two ways:
 (i) Affected plants die prematurely, thereby, producing lightweight ears
having poorly filled kernels and
 (ii) Plants with stalk rot easily lodge, which makes harvesting difficult,
and ears are left in the field during harvesting
 Moreover, various chemical and biological control methods have been
developed, but major emphasis is on development of maize cultivars
with genetic resistance to Fusarium stalk rot for environment friendly
control of the disease