Anthracnose Stalk Rot

Anthracnose Stalk Rot Symptoms

The plant portion, which is present above the ear, will wither. The same case can happen to the part of the corn plant that is below the ear. The inter nodal region will be greatly affected. It gets so fragile that it can even be broken using the finger nails. This region completely gets destroyed. The most obvious symptoms will start appearing once the plant reached maturity. The stalk will develop few blotches or glittering black colored spots.

Throughout the length of the stalk, this can be observed. Along with the outer stalk, the inner stalk is also affected. The inner stalk will also be black in color. This gets systemically affected. There might not be any discoloration in the stalk or in other regions of the plant. The water soaked portion of the plant, like the internodes will first become brown and then become black.

Pathogen Involved: the fungus that plays an important role in causing the Anthracnose Stalk Rot is the Colletotrichum graminicola. The same agent that causes the Anthracnose leaf blight causes the Anthracnose Stalk Rot. The pathogen easily thrives on the debris of corn that is remaining from the previous year’s harvest. Usually the agent that causes the stalk rot and the leaf blight disease will be totally two different agents. This is a unique fungus that is capable of causing both the diseases.

Time of Occurrence: Once pollination is completed, the corn plant is vulnerable to the attack of the fungus.

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Disease Management: For all the fungal diseases, the first best solution to prevent the disease or to control the further fungal growth is to use the fungicides. It will be better if these fungicides act exactly on the affected regions. If the foliage is affected, the fungicide must work on the leaves alone. The other parts of the plant must not get affected. Similarly, if the ear is the region affected, then the fungicide must act on that part. This will help in the unnecessary death of plants. Moreover the fungicide used must be at the permissible limit. The corn borer must be controlled. Crop rotation can be done in the corn fields. The total element called stress must be completely avoided. The nutrition in the soil must be maintained. Disease resistant varieties need to be cultivated. Non grass plants have to be cultivated in the corn fields. Soil fertility has to be constantly monitored for a good growth.