The causal agent and the distribution of maize stalk rot disease in the Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan

Abstract

Stalk rot disease, which can be caused by fungi and bacteria, is a common problem in maize cultivation. The infection of the disease started in 2019 in Tanah Laut Regency with an attack area of 4.7 hectares. The attack area increased to 27.5 hectares in 2020. This study aimed to identify the causal agent of maize stem rot disease in Tanah Laut Regency and how it spread throughout the regency. The study started with the identification of the pathogen in the field. The result showed that maize stalk rot disease in Tanah Laut Regency was caused by Pythium and Fusarium genera of fungi and Pantoea, Erwinia, Dickeya and Pectobacteria genera of bacteria. This disease spread to 10 out of 11 sub-districts in Tanah Laut Regency, with an attack intensity ranging from 1 to 22%.