Micosis/Hongos
Common corn blight, leaf scorch, or common helminthosporiosis: what it is, how it originates, and how to eliminate it effectively.
Blight, Leaf Burn, Blight Or Common Corn Helminthosporiosis
Helminthosporium Turcicum / Exserohilum Turcicum
Pathogen:
Fungus
Type:
Risk to the plant:
HIGH
DESCRIPTION
WHO CAUSES IT?
Exserohilum turcicum is a pathogenic fungus that mainly affects corn, causing the disease known as Common Corn Blight or Helminthosporiosis. This fungus reproduces through spores called conidia, which are released from specialized structures called conidiophores. Conidia are dispersed mainly by wind and water, allowing the spread of the pathogen to new plants. Once on a susceptible plant, the conidia germinate and penetrate through the stomata or directly through the leaf cuticle, producing germ tubes that invade plant tissues. The fungus develops intercellularly in the mesophyll spaces of the leaf, producing toxins that cause necrosis and tissue damage. During favorable conditions of high humidity and moderate temperatures, the pathogen proliferates rapidly, generating new spores and perpetuating the infectious cycle.
SYMPTOMS
The disease caused by Exserohilum turcicum in corn manifests itself mainly in the leaves, where it causes elongated and necrotic lesions that reduce the photosynthetic capacity of the plant, affecting its development and yield. These lesions begin as small watery Taches that expand and fuse, forming large areas of dead tissue. In severe conditions, lesions can affect stems and spikes, further compromising production.
- Elongated and necrotic lesions on the leaves
- Watery Taches that expand and merge
- Reduction of photosynthetic capacity
- Affectation of stems and spikes
- Reduced plant development
- Decrease in crop yield
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
18°C - 27°C
90% - 100%
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Conidia carried by wind, irrigation water, infected crop residues, contaminated agricultural tools
HOW TO REMOVE IT?
Home remedies
There are no home treatments
Chemical treatments
• AZOXISTROBIN 25% [SC] P/V
Authorized treatments in organic farming
-
Insect allies
PREDATORY MITES
LADYBUGS
LACEWINGS
PARASITIC WASPS
HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES
PREDATORY BUGS
There are no natural allies
Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Effective against all types of fungi
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
- Implement crop rotations with non-host species to reduce the presence of the pathogen in the soil.
- Use corn hybrids resistant to Exserohilum turcicum.
- Carry out preventive applications of specific fungicides following technical recommendations and critical periods of disease development.
- Maintain an adequate planting density to promote air circulation and reduce humidity in the canopy.
- Remove and destroy infected crop residues to minimize the source of inoculum.
- Practice constant monitoring of the crop to detect symptoms early and apply timely control measures.
- Avoid overhead irrigation during periods of high humidity to reduce spore dispersal.
- Disinfect agricultural tools and equipment after use in infected areas to prevent the spread of the pathogen.
Recommendations
Enjoy idMicrobe TOTALLY FREE, with no trial periods.
