How to deal with the most dangerous pests and diseases of corn

Corn is rich in calcium and sodium and contains ascorbic and pantothenic acid. It is a source of fiber, nutrients and vitamin E. The culture is grown in open, sunny areas. To obtain a rich harvest during the cultivation process, it is protected from diseases and pests. However, unwanted guests periodically appear on the plant and destroy the crop.

Consider the most dangerous diseases and pests of corn and measures to combat them.

The most dangerous diseases of corn

They arise due to illiterate care, contaminated land, non-compliance with the rules of crop rotation... It is important to detect the disease at an early stage and start fighting it in time.

Dusty smut

Fungal disease affects the ears, inflorescences and panicles of the plant... The panicles turn into a dusty gray clot, the ears turn into a black ball. Fungal spores live inside the plant until the maize ripens. It deforms, the bush takes on an ugly shape.

Sources of infection are spores that live in the ground, the remains of other plants, on the surface of the grains. Dust smut destroys 20 to 40% of the crop.

As a preventive measure for the onset of the disease, it is recommended to choose hybrids resistant to fungi, observe planting dates, and remove the remnants of last year's plants. For treatment, use the drug "Stimix". It is efficient and does not harm humans and the environment.

Bubble smut

Bubble smut is a disease of the ears of corn. Fungal disease manifests itself in the form of rough white swellings... They arise on the stem, ears, roots, leaves and panicles.

In the process of development, the bumps turn into olive-colored dust. Bubble smut affects young corn and mature plants, causing the corn to deform and die.

Fungus appears due to thickened plantings, hot climate, prolonged drought. The yield is reduced by 10-25%.

For prophylaxis, before planting, the seeds are disinfected, sprayed with the drug "Prozaro". For the treatment of blister smut, the Propulse agent is used.

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Fusarium

Fusarium appears in regions with high humidity and hot climates... The disease affects the plant at the beginning of maturation.

Several foci of infection appear on the cob, which eventually spread throughout the plant. The grains acquire a crumbly structure, are easily pressed in, turn white or pink.

For prevention, the following methods are used:

• Fusarium-resistant hybrids are planted;
• follow the landing rules;
• monitor the regime of watering and dressing.

If the disease appears, the infected ears are immediately removed, the remaining plants are sprayed with Proteus.

It is recommended to store corn in a dry and well-ventilated cellar with a moisture content of at least 80%.

Important! Fusarium also occurs on harvested ears. The reason is high humidity and improper storage.

Stem rot

Stem rot occurs due to infected residues of last year's plants, thickened planting, weeds... Stems and leaves become brittle and thin, covered with a dark coating, rot and die.Stem rot occurs in rainy and hot weather.

For preventive purposes, the seeds are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate or succinic acid before sowing, hardened and germinated in wet gauze. For treatment, the drug "Estet" is used.

Southern helminthosporiosis

The disease affects the ears, stems and leaves... Large spots of red and gray appear, which become larger over time and turn into dead areas. The seeds turn black, the ears are covered with a dark bloom. The source is contaminated seed, plant debris, insect pests.

For preventive purposes, the rules and planting density are observed, hybrids with high immunity are used. Southern helminthosporiosis is treated with Tabu Super.

Diplodiasis

Diplodiasis affects young plants... The stems become covered with dark spots, become brittle and brittle. Brown spots appear on the leaves, a light mycelium appears on the cobs.

Agrotechnical measures are used to combat: they observe the terms of sowing and harvesting, destroy plant residues, apply balanced mineral and organic fertilizers. From professional remedies for the treatment of diplodiosis are suitable "Triton" and "Quasar".

Wilt (bacterial wilting)

Wilting affects the leaves - they become thin and take on a yellowish tint... The tips become discolored and dry out. Plants do not bear fruit; ripe ears produce affected grains. When a disease is detected, the bushes are cut and burned.

Timely weeding and destruction of weeds serves as prevention.

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Maize pests

In addition to diseases, insect pests arise on plants. Let's consider the most common cases.

Stem moth

The caterpillar settles inside the stem, over time gnaws holes in the plant, eats corn cobs and panicles. Brown crumb falls from the holes on the ground. One plant contains from 1 to 3 caterpillars, which leads to a decrease in yield by 80%. The stems dry up and break. The pest actively multiplies during periods of high humidity and heat. The adult looks like a brown aphid. For the fight use the drug "Decis".

Root aphid

Root aphid settles on the roots and base of the stem... It sucks nutritious juices out of the plant, causing the corn to dry out and turn yellow. The pest retards the growth of the plant, increases the risk of fungal diseases. For prevention and treatment, it is recommended to spray corn with Bordeaux liquid.

Important! Gardeners advise cutting the stems as close to the ground as possible when harvesting. Before winter, all plant residues are removed from the fields, deep plowing is carried out.

Swedish fly

Little black pest affects corn at any stage of development... Flies lay eggs in the plant, the larvae penetrate deep into the stem, where they feed on the juices and vitamins of corn. The damaged stems wilt, but the rest of the plant is saved.

For preventive purposes before landing the seed is pickled and tested for germination. For treatment, use the means "Estet".

Wireworm

Worm lives deep underground, survives at low temperatures... Destroys the roots of the plant, because of which it does not receive nutrients from the soil. Plants get sick and die. For prophylaxis, the beds are carefully dug up before sowing, ammonia fertilizers are applied, beetle eggs are collected by hand. For treatment use drugs "Bazudin" and "Nemabakt".

Prevention of diseases and pests

In order not to waste time and energy fighting diseases and pests, it is recommended to carry out preventive measures in advance and save the harvest:

1. Digging the ground before sowing and loosening the soil prevents insect pests.
2. Late autumn plowing protects against wireworms and corn aphids.
3. For protection, a green salad is sown in the aisles. Its roots attract pests that forget about corn and move to more mouth-watering prey.
4. To prevent the appearance of diseases, corn is watered with warm and clean water.
5. Before planting, the acidic soil is limed by adding a mixture of dry lime and wood ash.

Conclusion

Diseases of corn are dangerous in that they can destroy from 10 to 40% of the crop. To avoid this, it is recommended to use effective insecticides and agricultural techniques that are safe for human health. Before sowing, the seeds are disinfected and germinated, the optimal planting density is observed on the site.

To prevent the appearance of pests, it is recommended to weed the beds, remove weeds and the remains of last year's plants.