new - picked corn is one of the true pleasures of summer , but for many gardeners , bringing a crop of clavus to harvest time is a challenge . Corn takes up a hatful of infinite in the garden and must be planted in a block so current of air can cross-pollinate it . It is a laborious birdfeeder , requiring frequent fertiliser applications . Several diseases pretend edible corn , and unfortunately , the only ascendancy for most of them is to destroy the affected corn whiskey plants . Practice good ethnic practices , such as harvest rotation and right plant spatial arrangement , to increase your odds of a healthy maize harvest .
Corn Smut
clavus erotica is one of the most unusual disease to infect the vegetable garden . It is because of the fungus , Ustilago maydis , and cause large overweight gall ( excrescence ) to form on the corn ears and stalks . The bile are white to gray when small , but turn brown with black smut when fledged . They lay out in size from 2 to 5 inches wide , and render the corn inedible .
There is no chemic control for maize smut and it spreads promptly through spore that move through the air or overwinter in the grunge . Rotate corn annually and remove any galls from the stalking as shortly as they appear . Discard industrial plant detritus in the evenfall to derogate the spread of corn smut .
Corn Rust
Rust is a common edible corn disease , but rarely causes more than aesthetic damage . It produces red colored lesion on the upper leaves and stalk of the corn plant life , but generally does n’t touch the Indian corn . works corn two week after the last freeze in full Dominicus . Space Zea mays at least 12 inches apart so air diffuse freely and water it as needed to keep the filth equally moist . Healthy clavus is less potential to become taint with rust fungus .
Corn Seed and Root Rots
seed plant too betimes in the season in cold , lactating dirt are prone to rotting due to fungi found naturally in the grease . These germ fail to develop or young seedlings may be stunted and grow poorly . source rot occurs after the plant are grow , but is also due to fungus and aggravate by sozzled , cool soils .
To control seed and source rots , plant high - tone seeds . steal seeds treat with a fungicide if you live in an area prone to semen rot . industrial plant corn whiskey in loose , loose land to ensure right drainage , and hold off until after the last Robert Lee Frost to plant .
Virus Corn Diseases
Maize dwarf mosaic computer virus causes specked or mottled light-green blotches on the upper leaves , while maize greensick dwarf virus causes pale streaks on the leaves . Both stunt clavus works and reduce yields .
There is no chemic control for these viruses . Remove infected plant immediately and remove all junk after the crop . The viruses overwinter on nearby sens and grasses , so removing those as well can prevent the spread head of the disease .
Corn Leaf Blights
Leaf blight cause gray , tan or brown wound on leave-taking , and may eventually infect the ears , as well . Buy disease - resistant clavus seed if you ’ve had problems with foliage blight and rotate the corn crop , waiting three or more eld before planting in the same spot again .
Want to learn more about corn diseases?
Clemson Cooperative Extension – Sweet Corn Diseases
Corn Crop Diseasesfrom University of Minnesota Extension
Related
cc flickr photo courtesy of fifikins
