## 1 Introduction  
Maize (_Zea mays_ L.) stalk and ear rot diseases result in significant post-harvest economic losses and reduce the quality and quantity of grains. Several fungi can cause stalk and ear rot, the most important being _Stencorpella_ spp. and _Fusarium_ spp. [1]. These pathogens colonize the aerial parts of maize plants due to conidial dispersal by wind, water splashing, and contaminated seeds. Indeed, seeds disperse the inoculum of the pathogen over long distances, but there is no report of _Stencorpella_-caused disease outbreaks in the first season in which maize is cultivated. In order for an outbreak to occur, the inoculum levels in the maize stubble need to reach sufficient levels [2]. _Stencocarppella macrospora_ and _S. maydis_ are the predominant species within the genus and can be collectively detected using a genus-specific primer [3]. A molecular biology approach based on qPCR (quantitative PCR) is an easy, fast, and sensitive test for specific targets than conventional methods. When more than one pathogen causes infection in a plant and requires accurate detection, qPCR is a suitable method for detection and quantification [4]. _S. macrospora_ and _S. maydis_ are seed-transmitted, cause stalk rot and ear rot, and _S. macrospora_ is associated with macrospora leaf spot. These diseases may not only compromise photosynthesis by the reduction in the green leaf area but also serve as a reservoir for the pathogen inoculum build up and infect the kernels causing ear rot or at least transmit the pathogen. These species can survive on seed and/or colonize the maize stubble. In this environment, the spores can increase or remain dormant until the following raining and planting season [5]. Such stubble also serves as a reservoir for other maize pathogens that compete for the same nutrients (stalk and kernels), and the most important are _F. verticillioides_ and _F. graminearum_[6]. Conversely, maize stubble does not last long in tropical agriculture systems due to the speed with which such organic matter is decomposed. Therefore, there until now is no evidence of the role of the different maize stubble (in relation to size, crop system, and climatic conditions) in the survival of _Stencocarppella_ app. on maize. Furthermore, _Stencocarppella_ spp. is host-specific; therefore, the presence of a maize monoculture likely plays a detrimental role in the overwintering of the pathogen [7], especially in tropical agriculture systems, where the weather is favorable for volunteer maize plants to not only harbor but also build up inoculum of _Stencocarppella_ spp. [8]. Within the integrated management of diseases, soil biological properties play an important role. It can influence the selection of antagonistic microbial communities associated with the pathogen reduction and elimination, resulting in the reduction in the disease. These soil conditions, the use of fungicides (chemical and biological), and the resistance of cultivars do not necessarily result in satisfactory disease control [9]. In Brazil, no-tillage cropping is the default practice, but it relies on the sequence of soybean and maize planted in a succession, not in rotation [10]. This system reduces the soil preparation time and maintains soil humidity, thus reducing erosion [11]. However, crop stubble on the soil surface supports the survival of many plant-stubble-borne pathogens, which are saprophytes and can cause disease outbreaks [12]. There is considerable knowledge on the epidemiology of other species that cause ear rot on maize plants, such as _F. graminearum_ and _F. verticillioides_[13]. In contrast, knowledge of the occurrence and epidemiology of the _Stencocarppella_ complex is scarce, particularly with regard to tropical agriculture. This knowledge is essential for the development of preventive measures to reduce the risk of fungal infections during the growing season.