Stenocarpella maydis explained

Stenocarpella maydis (Berk.) Sutton (syns. Diplodia maydis (Berk.) Sacc. and D. zeae (Schwein.) Lév.) is a plant pathogenic fungus and causal organism of diplodia ear and stalk rot. Corn (Zea mays) and canes (Arundinaria sp.) are the only known hosts to date.[1] No teleomorph of the fungus is known.[2]

Stenocarpella maydis can significantly reduce yield or grain quality (see – Symptoms and Signs) as there is a decrease on kernel size, and lower test weight. If infection occurs early, some ears may not produce harvestable grain or seed vigor can be compromised.[3] Delayed harvest and wet weather before harvest can allow fungal growth to continue, further reducing grain marketability.[4] Further, some animals may reject contaminated corn-based feed. Stenocarpella rot has the potential to affect distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) composition, but not ethanol yield on an equivalent weight basis.[5] Although not common, when the conditions are conducive, this organism can produce mycotoxins (see – Importance), toxic compounds to mammals.

Symptoms and signs

If the corn plant becomes infected soon after flowering, the husks appear bleached to straw color. Mycelial growth on corn ears typically begin at the base of the ear. In advanced stages of disease, this can result in a light-weight mummified ears attributed to the release of extracellular hydrolytic activities of acid protease, xylanases, and cellulases. During late season, this ascomycete on the plant can be recognized by the production of small raised, black fungal reproductive structures (pycnidia) on infected kernels, cob, husks, or stalks giving it an irregular feeling when touched. When infection happens several weeks after flowering, ears may be asymptomatic, with a possible brown discoloration, or seldom show mycelium between kernels. Some isolates may cause premature germination of the corn kernels.[6] [7] In stalk infections, injury to the vascular system disrupts translocation and, thus, reduces grain size.[8]

Biology and epidemiology

S. maydis overwinters on diseased plant debris (husks, stalks). During wet conditions, flask-shaped pycnidia embedded on debris produces two-celled conidia. Diplodia ear rot takes place when conidia are spread via rain and wind into the plant during early silking until two to three weeks after silks start to senesce. Alternatively, conidia can penetrate husks, typically at the base of the ear. Fungal growth is most common during milk, dough and dent stages. Diplodia stalk rot takes place mainly in the crown, mesocotyl, roots, and less frequently on the nodes between the crown and the ear. For both diseases, points of entry are facilitated by pest (e.g. bird, insect) damage, predisposing the host. Earworm (Helicoverpa zea) damage at the ear shank is often associated with the disease.

Diplodia rot is most severe for mono cropping systems, or when wet weather occurs shortly after silking, particularly for susceptible corn varieties with upright ears and tight husks. S. maydis occurs in cool, humid temperate areas, whereas the closely related S. macrospora, with similar symptoms but whose only host is corn, tend to happen in warm, humid zones.[9]

Corn Diplodia disease cycle Crop Protection Network

Worldwide incidence

The incidence of Diplodia ear and stalk rots is dependent of climatic factors. Epidemics have been associated with early droughts and late season rains.[10] The incidence of infected corn in the field may range from 1-2% or as high as 75-80%. Some regions throughout the globe associated with Stenocarpella maydis include:

Management

Cultural control

Host resistance

Corn hybrids vary in their susceptibility to S. maydis. Flint cultivars are more resistant than dent, and resistance breeding offers promise for control, however complete resistance (immunity) is not available. Some seed suppliers offer Diplodia rot resistance ratings for their hybrids.[16] Further, resistance to insects can reduce damage and disease severity. Genetic resistance to Diplodia stalk rot is highly correlated with resistance to Gibberella stalk rot.

Chemical control

The potential benefits of fungicides to control Diplodia rot remain ambiguous. It is recommended to apply fungicides when foliar disease is evident at high levels to help minimize stalk damage during grain fill.[17] Some experimental findings include:

Biological control

While not as commonly used as the previously described management strategies, several studies show promising results with a biocontrol approach. Examples follow:

Importance

S. maydis is capable of producing mycotoxins, but no case has been reported regarding Diplodia rot in the United States and Canada. However, there have been some mycotoxicoses (Diplodiosis) in South America and Africa due to this fungus. This manifests as a nervous disorder (neuromycotoxicosis), characterized by neurological disorders such as ataxia, paralysis, and liver damage in farm animals fed or grazing on S. maydis-infected corn. Further, Diplodia-infected corn used in the chicken broiler and egg laying industries has resulted in reduced performance. Mycotoxins produced by this phytopathogen include diploidiatoxin, chaetoglobosins, and diplonine, to which all associated with diplodiosis. Moreover, Chaetoglobosin K has potential as an antifungal. A study by Wicklow et al showed promising antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides[22]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Flett. B. C.. McLaren. N. W.. Wehner. F. C.. 2001. Incidence of Stenocarpella maydis Ear Rot of Corn Under Crop Rotation Systems. Plant Disease. 85. 1. 92–94. 10.1094/pdis.2001.85.1.92. 30832079. 0191-2917.
  2. Book: Compendium of corn diseases. Munkvold, Gary P. (Gary Phillip),, White, Donald G.,, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Department of Crop Sciences.. 9780890544921. Fourth. St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A.. 946794125. Munkvold. Gary P.. White. Donald G.. 2016.
  3. Siqueira. Carolina da Silva. Barrocas. Ellen Noly. Machado. José da Cruz. Silva. Ursula Abreu da. Dias. Iara Eleutéria. 2014. Effects of Stenocarpella maydis in seeds and in the initial development of corn. Journal of Seed Science. 36. 1. 79–86. 10.1590/S2317-15372014000100010. 2317-1537. free.
  4. Web site: Corn Disease Management: Ear Rots. Education Store. 2018-07-17.
  5. Dien. Bruce S.. Wicklow. Donald T.. Singh. Vijay. Moreau. Robert A.. Winkler-Moser. Jill K.. Cotta. Michael A.. 2012. Influence ofStenocarpella maydisInfected Corn on the Composition of Corn Kernel and Its Conversion into Ethanol. Cereal Chemistry. en. 89. 1. 15–23. 10.1094/cchem-09-11-0107. 0009-0352.
  6. Book: Crop Production Clinic Proceedings. Jackson-Ziems. Tamra. Hartman. Terra. University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 2017. Lincoln, NE. 193–195.
  7. Web site: Corn Disease Profile III: Ear Rot Diseases and Grain Molds. Jackson-Ziems. Tamra. Giesler. Loren. 2012. digitalcommons.unl.edu/plantpathpapers. July 17, 2018. Harveson. Robert. Korus. Kevin. Liu. Bo.
  8. Web site: Stenocarpella macroscopa and Stenocarpella maydis. European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). 2017. Data Sheets on Quarantine Pests.
  9. Web site: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. Flickr. en-us. 2018-07-17. 2015-04-30.
  10. Web site: A look at Diplodia ear and stalk rot of maize and recently isolated mycotoxins. Grainsa. A look at Diplodia ear and stalk rot of maize and recently isolated mycotoxins. en. 2018-07-17.
  11. Mendoza. José Rodrigo. Kok. Car Reen. Stratton. Jayne. Bianchini. Andréia. Hallen-Adams. Heather E.. 2017. Understanding the mycobiota of maize from the highlands of Guatemala, and implications for maize quality and safety. Crop Protection. 101. 5–11. 10.1016/j.cropro.2017.07.009. 0261-2194. free.
  12. Web site: Diplodia Ear Rot. Woloshuk. C.. Wise. K.. 2009. Purdue Extension BP-75-W. July 17, 2018 .
  13. Web site: [cropwatch.unl.edu/2016/ear-and-stalk-rot-diseases-becoming-more-common-corn-fields Ear and Stalk Rot Diseases Becoming More Common in Corn Fields]. Jackson-Ziems. Tamra A.. 2016. Cropwatch UNL. July 17, 2018.
  14. News: How does irrigation influence the presence and severity of diseases?. MSU Extension. 2018-07-17. en.
  15. 2017. Survival of Stenocarpella maydis on Corn Residue in Indiana. Plant Health Progress. 18. 2. 78–83. 10.1094/php-rs-16-0063. 1535-1025. Romero Luna. Martha P.. Camberato. James J.. Wise. Kiersten A.. free.
  16. Web site: Diplodia Ear Rot. Wise. Kiersten. Mehl. Kelsey. 2017. Plant Pathology Fact Sheet PPFS-AG-C-05. 2018-07-17. Bradley. Carl.
  17. Web site: Management of Diplodia Stalk and Ear Rots in Corn. Agronomy Advice. 2016. Channel - Seedmanship At Work. 2018-07-17.
  18. Romero Luna. Martha P.. Wise. Kiersten A.. 2015. Timing and Efficacy of Fungicide Applications for Diplodia Ear Rot Management in Corn. Plant Health Progress. 16. 3. 123–131. 10.1094/php-rs-15-0010. 1535-1025.
  19. Marley. PS. Gbenga. O. 2004. Fungicide control ofStenocarpella Maydisin the Nigerian Savanna. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection. en. 37. 1. 19–28. 10.1080/03235400310001631936. 84148839. 0323-5408.
  20. Web site: Evaluation of Fungicides for Diplodia Ear Rot. Romero. Martha. Wise. Kiersten. 2015. Diseases of Corn - Purdue Extension. 2018-07-17.
  21. Bressan. W.. Figueiredo. J. E. F.. 2005. Biological Control of Stenocarpella maydis in Maize Seed with Antagonistic Streptomyces sp. Isolates. Journal of Phytopathology. en. 153. 10. 623–626. 10.1111/j.1439-0434.2005.01014.x. 0931-1785.
  22. Wicklow. Donald T.. Rogers. Kristina D.. Dowd. Patrick F.. Gloer. James B.. 2011. Bioactive metabolites from Stenocarpella maydis, a stalk and ear rot pathogen of maize. Fungal Biology. 115. 2. 133–142. 10.1016/j.funbio.2010.11.003. 21315311. 1878-6146.