Diplodia Ear Rot

About the Disease: The Diplodia Ear Rot disease is mainly caused by a fungus in the corn plants.

Symptoms: As its name points out, the main portion that gets affected is the ear. To be more specific the base of the ear gets affected. Infection starts here and proceeds to the stalk and then to the shank. The kernel region is fully covered with the mycelium in white color.

The black bumps will be seen surrounding the kernels that are rotten. These black bumps are otherwise called as the Pycnidia. Those ears that get infected will be quite erect. This will be at the early stages of infection. The ear region can become brown and rotten.

Pathogen Involved: The main pathogen involved is Diplodia maydis. This is a fungal disease. Thus all the conditions that favor the fungal growth must be restricted to prevent the appurtenance of the disease. When there is corn debris, which has been left behind form the harvest of the previous year, then the Diplodia maydis are sure to thrive on this debris.

Time of Occurrence: Usually, many of the diseases involving the corn or wheat plants might occur in the period after pollination. Similarly, the Diplodia Ear Rot is prevalent in a period after flowering of plants.

Conditions Favoring Disease: After the process of silking the ears of the corn plant are considered to be quite vulnerable. When corn is grown continuously, without any crop rotation, the disease might occur. . When the tillage is not done properly, it might cause the disease. When the birds and insects cause damage to the ears of corn, it might also lead to the disease. Weather conditions that are warm and wet can be other causative agents.

Disease Management: Finding out the exact cause of a disease will be the best way to find the disease prevention measures. Many fields grow the same crop all the year round. This might be one of the primary causes for the disease. Corn is the plant that is mainly affected by Diplodia Ear Rot. When the disease is noticed and if you continue to grow corns for the next season, then this will affect the second harvest also. Thus crop rotation form one variety to another must be practiced to the maximum extent. Proper nutrition and water supply must be given to the crops. Too much of watering and overcrowding can also lead to the disease. Crops which are less susceptible to the disease can be identified and then cultivated.