STUDIES ON STALK ROT DISEASE OF MAIZE

Abstract

Stalk rot disease of ma1ze ts considerable problem in Egypt. The recent work was conducted to find out the best solution(s) for this problem. The ob.tained res•uits could be summerized in :

1. Fourty pure isolates were obtained from n1ne governorates i.e., Minufiya. Gharbiya, Kafr EI-Shiekh, Qena, Asuit, EI-Menia, Sohag, Beni Siuf and Behira. This isolates were identified tn Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Minufiya University Egypt. 38 isolates were Fusarium moniliforme; one was Fusarium so/ani and one was F. oxysporum.

2. Four isolates were selected geografically and the pathogenicity of them was operated. All of these isolates caused the infection. The most virulent isolate was (M39) followed by M30, M37 and M33.

3. Three methods of fungus inoculation were applicated to obtain the best method of inoculation. These methods were grain soaking in spore suspension, Tooth pick method and soil inoculation. The best method was soil inoculation.