The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-10-05
Clemson Extension Wofk.Artiele Xxx.
&c CORN EAR ROT.

J During the past two years there seems
to have been a gradual increase in the
amount Of.damage or rotten corn in the
fields throughout the state. Investiga-
tions started last fall and continued this
summer shows that the large majority OF
this trouble is due to q fungus disease
known as dry rot or ear rot Of corn. In
one field recently investigated in Darling,
ton County we found 20 per cent OF the
ears destro yed by this disease. Reports
have come in from other sections showing
that the disease is widespread and is caus-
ing considerable damage. Now any dis,
ease that Injuries our corn crop is OF vital
interest, and every farmer should know
enough about such a disease to enable
him to recognize it when he comes in con.
tact with it, and to enable him to combat
it where il causes loss. 1t is hoped that at
least q part Of such knowledge will be
gained from this article.
Symptoms Of the disease are very char
acteristic. At the time the corn begins to
ripen, the huSks on the diseased ears turn
prematurely yellow. Later, they assure a
notified or blackiSh appearance and seems
to stick very close to the ears. When the
husks are pulled back from such ears the
! grains will be found to be shIivefed and
Immature and the ear will be noticeably
decreased in weight. Later, the grains ap-
pear very brittle and frequently assume a
brownish color. At this stage the whole
ear is usually overrun with q white look
ing mold. When the diseased ears are
broken acress, small black fruiting bodies
of the fungus will be found on the tips Of
the grains and in the cob.
This rot is caused by a parasitic fungus,
Diplodea maydis. Studies Of the life his
tory of the fungus recently made at the
Nebraska and Illinois Experiment Stations
show that the fungus lives over winter on
the diseased ears and stalks which are
left in the field. 1t spreads from these to
the new corn the following season at the
corn is in silk and tassel. The infection
takes place through the silks. If the
weather conditions are favorable for the
development Of the fungus at this stage
the disease spreads very rapidly. At the
Illinois Station the fungus has been found
to live on the old corn stalks in the field for
two years, and in some cases for three
years. They recommend that the corn
Stalks be removed from the field and de-
stroyed and that a rotation be practiced
which will keep corn off the land for two
years. 1t seems that such measures
would eliminate the disease. l have in
mind one case in this state, however, where
where the disease has done considerable
damage in the face Of such rotation, so 1T
UlldU OOIhO bAS2 NoSS ~ AONNNN
before we can give definite measures for
controlling the disease. In this connec-
ton it is well to keep in mind the fact that
removing the corn stalks from the field
eliminates one of the principal sources, Of
infection for the next season, his empha-
sizes the advantage to be gained by. cut
ting and shredding the corn. AS stated
however, we need more data which will
apply to southern methods and conditions.
In order to secure such information, we
need cooperation. We are pushing this
investigation now and are asking that
every one who has the disease in his field
will write US about it and send us speci.
mems. We have on hand a lumber OF
ranked tags which will bring specimens
through the maillfree, and we will be glad
to send these to anyone desiring to send
such specimens. Where cases seem to war
rant it, we will be glad to visit fields
where the disease is causing trouble and
look into the conditions prevailing there.
n. w. Barre, Botanist,
S. G. Experiment Station.