How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

SYMPTOMS

Corn plants with Fusarium stalk rot exhibit rotting of the roots, plant base, and lower internodes. The rot normally begins soon after pollination and becomes more severe as the plant matures. The lower stem becomes soft and eventually collapses. The pith inside the stems becomes tan to pink and disintegrates, leaving the vascular strands intact.

COMMENTS ON THE DISEASE

The fungus is ubiquitous in a corn field and colonizes the surfaces of all corn tissue but does no damage until the plants are near maturity. Stress and injury to plants seem to favor infection. This is the most common stalk rot in California.

MANAGEMENT

Optimal cultural practices (balanced fertility, good water management, crop rotation, plowing crop residues under, etc.) will help to prevent this disease. Some hybrids are more resistant than others. There are no registered fungicides for this disease.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Corn
UC ANR Publication 3443
Diseases
R. M. Davis, Plant Pathology, UC Davis

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