Content
Corn crops do not always produce the expected yield. During the growth period, the grain crop can be attacked by various diseases and pests of corn. To avoid this, you need to carefully monitor the growth process of the cereal. At the very first sign of a disease or in the presence of various pests, it is necessary to begin active control of them.
Corn diseases and measures to combat them
The main causes of various diseases in corn crops are fungi, bacteria or viruses. If the problem is not detected in a timely manner, the plant may die. If you regularly engage in prevention, you can get rid of any infections and infestations.
Dusty smut
This is a disease that affects the panicles and ears of corn. Its causative agent is a fungus. The first symptom of this disease is damage to the corn cob and panicle. Externally, the plant looks weak and can grow in the form of a bush. The panicle is densely covered with a black substance, which becomes dust when touched. Corn cobs grow very slowly and dry out and turn black.
To avoid this infection, you need to treat the soil with disinfectants, moisten it and loosen it. On the eve of sowing, it is necessary to treat the soil with a fungicide.
Blister smut
A disease caused by a fungus. It covers the portion of the corn that is above ground. Green bubbles appear at the sites of damage, which turn black over time. It is in these formations that harmful spores appear. Infected corn is weakened by other infections. If measures are not taken, the plant will die.
Fusarium
This disease can affect corn at any stage of growth. The cause of infection is a mold that develops in crop residues. If the spores are in the soil, the seeds may rot. Even if they sprout, the sprouts will very quickly darken and die. Plants that manage to grow from infected seeds are very weak and grow poorly, producing very small ears.
To avoid infection, sowing must be carried out in a timely manner. The soil for sowing seeds should be as warm as possible and well fertilized. On the eve of sowing, the soil and seeds should be sprayed with a fungicide.
Stem rot
This is a fungal infection that manifests itself at the stage of milk maturity of the grain crop. Fungal plaque affects leaves and stems. Over time they dry out and break. The main source of infection is the remains of corn in the ground after harvest. That is why all plant waste must be removed especially carefully.To avoid infection, it is necessary to plow and cultivate the soil well before sowing. Create the correct moisture regime for the grain crop and sow the seeds not very densely.
Helminthosporiosis or brown spot
This fungal disease mainly affects the leaves. But in some cases, the cobs and roots suffer. The first symptoms appear as dry brown spots on the leaves, the diameter of which gradually increases. The catalyst for infection is high humidity and cold conditions.
Prevention of the disease is the selection of the desired variety and seed treatment. Careful soil preparation is also a necessary condition.
Cladosporiosis
A fungal infection that penetrates damaged grains and covers them with dark mold. If you plant such seeds, the sprouted stems will quickly disappear, which will significantly reduce the yield. To avoid infection of the crop, you need to disinfect the soil and seeds before sowing. Also, to prevent the appearance of corn grain disease, you should ensure a normal level of moisture for the plant.
Diplodia
This fungal infection manifests itself as stem rot. The disease destroys the cobs and causes the leaves to stick together. The source of the disease is considered to be infected seeds. Before sowing, it is necessary to treat the soil and grains with a fungicide. Proper moisture must be provided for sprouting sprouts.
Wilt
This disease is also called bacterial wilt of corn. It mainly affects the leaves. First, colorless stripes appear on them, after which the leaves curl and gradually dry out. If the infection is very strong and covers the entire plant, it can quickly die.If such an infection is detected on the site, you need to mow down and burn all the remains of corn and weed. It is possible to sow grain crops on this soil only after 3 years.
Rust
The causative agent of the infection is a fungus. The disease affects the leaves and stalks of corn, causing many yellow spots to appear on them. Gradually, the spots turn into small pockets with harmful spores. During the growing season, the wind carries these spores from diseased to healthy specimens. Infection with this disease leads to complete drying of corn.
Corn pests and measures to combat them
Not only diseases, but also various pests pose a threat to the corn crop. They can attack not only the ground part, but also harm the root system. To combat these enemy insects, there are many chemicals and folk remedies.
Stem borer
The corn borer harms not only the above-ground part of the crop, but also its root system. The insect also transfers various bacteria from infected plants to healthy stems. The biggest damage is caused not by the moth itself, but by its 25mm yellow caterpillar with a black stripe on its back.
This pest eats leaves and makes many wide holes in the stem; it can also get to the cobs and spoil the grains. In damaged specimens, the stems break and the cobs deteriorate. To prevent the corn borer from attacking the area, you need to clear the area of weeds and spray the planted soil with protective preparations.
Root aphid
The most favorable conditions for this pest are hot and dry weather. After an aphid attack, the corn stops growing, and its leaves turn yellow and dry. If the insect has not damaged all the plants, then only the affected ones can be sprayed. In this way, you can prevent the spread of root aphids throughout the crop. Fungicides and insecticides are used to control such pests. An important factor is the selection of suitable corn varieties and careful processing of the grains before sowing.
Swedish fly
This pest attacks during the germination stage of corn stalks. Fly larvae spoil young shoots, which leads to slow growth and poor formation of cobs. Once damaged, corn stalks become very thick and the leaves darken. For prevention, you need to feed the post with nitrogen fertilizers and treat the plant and seeds with special preparations.
Wireworm
This pest damages seeds and sprouted stems. The wireworm attacks within one field, on the most favorable soil for it. After a pest attack, the stems wither and holes appear on the leaves. The wireworm lives in the same soil for several years. It is located next to the damaged plant. To remove this insect, you need to plow the soil well and treat it with special chemicals.
Scoops
This pest eats up the above-ground part of corn. The most dangerous are considered to be bollworms and bollworms, as they eat a lot. First, insects destroy the leaves, and then eat the cobs. To avoid the appearance of this pest, you need to carefully get rid of residues after harvesting, plow the soil deeply and set up special traps.
Prevention measures against diseases and pests
Prevention of diseases and pests should begin at the stage of seed selection and end with harvesting.
The main methods for preventing the appearance of pests and infections include the following:
- breeding varieties that will be resistant to pests and bacteria;
- for sowing it is better to choose grains of early ripening varieties;
- disinfection of grains before sowing;
- thorough cultivation of the land with fungicides and fertilizers;
- deep plowing of the soil;
- thorough cleaning of the soil from weeds and crop residues;
- sowing must be carried out in a timely manner, and harvesting must be carried out in a short time;
- the plant needs to be processed several times, it is considered especially vulnerable during the growing season;
- you need to have certain information about the symptoms of diseases and signs of pest infestation;
- Do not sow corn on contaminated soil for three years.
Conclusion
Diseases and pests of corn are frequent guests in farm fields and home gardens. To get a good grain harvest, you need to carefully monitor the plant at all stages of growth. This is the only way to promptly identify the first symptoms of diseases and notice the appearance of pests. A quick and systematic fight against these negative phenomena will help save the future harvest.
