Causal Agent:
Fungus (Cercospora zea-maydis)
| Characteristic Symptoms: | ||
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Lesions begin as small, necrotic spot with or without chlorotic halo. | |
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Elongated necrotic spots may grow parallel to the veins giving a rectangular appearance with straight edges. | |
| Conditions for Disease Development: | ||
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The disease is favoured by warm temperature and high humidity. | |
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Extended leaf wetness favours leaf infection. | |
| Management and Control: | ||
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Use of resistant varieties, if available.
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Crop rotate with non-host crops to reduce corn residues and disease inoculum. | |
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Bury plant residues below the surface to reduce primary infection levels. | |
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Apply fungicides such as pyraclostrobin+dimetomorph (e.g. Cabrio®), propiconazole(e.g. Bumper®, Tranzole ®), tebuconazole(Folicur®). | |
References
Gray Leaf Spot of Corn. Crop Focus. Pioneer Hybrid. 2010.
The CIMMYT Maize Program. 2003. Maize Diseases: A Guide for Field Identification. 4th edition. Mexico, D.F.: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).
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