Effect of soil moisture, carbofuran, and MDMV on Fusarium moniliforme and Pratylenchus spp, stalk rot and grain yield of maize

This study was conducted in two consecutive growing seasons to investigate the effect of certain abiotic and biotic stresses on the development of stalk rot and grain yield of corn (Zea mays L.) Parameters included four irrigation schedules: 1) nonirrigated, 2) irrigated when the available soil moisture was 50% depleted as determined by neutron probe, 3) 50% depleted as determined by a computer model, and 4) 35% depletion until tasseling, then 65% depletion until harvest as determined by computer model; two rates of carbofuran nematicide insecticide (11.2 and 22.4 kg/ha); infection with Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus race A (MDMV-A); and two corn hybrids. The populations of Fusarium moniliforme and Pratylenchus spp were determined at late silking. The greatest and the lowest counts of the fungus were found in irrigated and nonirrigated soils respectively. The population of Pratylenchus spp was reduced while F. moniliforme was not affected by carbofuran application in nonirrigated corn plots. High rates of carbofuran resulted in more effective control of Pratylenchus and greater grain yield. Stalk rot up to 70% and grain yield as low as 529 kg/ha were found in nonirrigated corn. Very low incidence of corn stalk rot and grain yields up to 9101 kg/ha were obtained from irrigated corn. Corn plants infected with MDMV were more susceptible to stalk rot and their grain was lower than healthy plants particularly under water stress conditions. ate silking. The greatest and the lowest counts of the fungus were found in irrigated and nonirrigated soils respectively. The population of Pratylenchus spp was reduced while F. moniliforme was not affected by carbofuran application in nonirrigated corn plots. High rates of carbofuran resulted in more effective control of Pratylenchus and greater grain yield. Stalk rot up to 70% and grain yield as low as 529 kg/ha were found in nonirrigated corn. Very low incidence of corn stalk rot and grain yields up to 1901 kg/ha were obtained form irrigated corn. Corn plants infected with MDMV were more susceptible to stalk rot and their grain was lower than healthy plants particularly under water stress conditions.