Abstract
Exserohilum turcicum and Puccinia sorghi cause foliar fungal diseases that affect maize crop in Argentina. These diseases, northern leaf blight and common rust respectively, are presented each year with different levels of severity affecting significantly the yield in susceptible hybrids. Disease control usually consists in the use of resistant cultivars and chemical control. Biological control as a preventive method is a viable alternative to evaluate. The aims of this study were to evaluate the natural incidence of both foliar diseases in maize after application of two antagonists, to determine the survival of the antagonists in the maize phyllosphere and to evaluate the effect of inoculation on grain yield at harvest. Plants treated with both biological control agents showed significant reductions in the incidence of both foliar diseases. In northern leaf blight the reduction was higher than 50% during 40 days in plants treated with Bacillus spp. Moreover, grain yield was significantly higher as compared to control treatments.
Highlights
Maize grown in tropical and temperate climates has been being affected by two foliar diseases during recent seasons
Northern leaf blight is caused by Exserohilum turcicum, and common rust is caused by Puccinia sorghi [1] [2]
BCAs showed a significant reduction of common rust and northern leaf blight incidences in the first and second evaluation (R2 and R3)
Summary
Maize grown in tropical and temperate climates has been being affected by two foliar diseases during recent seasons. Northern leaf blight is caused by Exserohilum turcicum, and common rust is caused by Puccinia sorghi [1] [2]. Common rust is endemic in the maize production area of Argentina [6] [7]. This disease occurs each year with varying degrees of intensity, according to the behaviour of the hybrid and the prevailing environmental conditions [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
