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Effects of Diplodia Stalk Rot on Stalk Quality in Corn ( Zea mays L.) 1
Author(s) -
Loesch P. J.,
Zuber M. S.,
Calvert O. H.,
Hilderbrand E. S.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1972.0011183x001200040022x
Subject(s) - stalk , biology , zea mays , inoculation , horticulture , agronomy
Four single crosses in corn ( Zea mays L.), representing a wide range in stalk‐lodging resistance, were evaluated for reaction to Diploidia maydis (Berk.) in Experiment I. Crushing strength and rind‐thickness values were higher in the lodgingresistant and intermediate single crosses than in the two lodgingsusceptible crosses. Increased stalk rotting, resulting from inoculation with D. maydis , greatly affected crushing strength and stalk rot ratings but had no significant effect on rind thickness. Reductions in crushing strength due to D. maydis were substantially greater for two lodging‐susceptible single crosses than for an intermediate or a resistant one. The two lodging‐susceptible single crosses were also susceptible to D. maydis . In Experiment II the crushing strength, weight of 5.1‐cm stalk section, and rind thickness were reduced and stalk‐rot ratings increased as plant‐population densities were increased. Crushing strength of the lodging‐resistant single cross was weakened nearly as much as a lodging‐susceptible single cross by D. maydis . Stalk‐rot intensity was negatively correlated with crushing strength. Weight of section and rind thickness were positively correlated with stalk crushing strength. Stalk rot (as a component of crushing strength) was relatively independent of rind thickness and stalk weight. Data from these experiments show that Diplodia is an important variable contributing to stalk quality and has an effect in reducing crushing strength but is relatively independent of rind thickness and weight of stalk section.