Seed pathology with reference to corn and sorghum.
1980
Muller N.D.
Seed produced on diseased plants may carry fungi, bacteria, viruses or combinations of these. Seeds which are disease-free at harvest may become contaminated in poor storage conditions. Infected seed may have reduced viability and longevity, and produce plants with root rots, seedling and leaf blights, stalk rots, ergots, or head moulds. These various conditions may cause death, general unthriftiness of the plant and, therefore, reduced yields. Infection of grain by toxin-producing pathogens may render the produce worthless under some storage conditions. There are numerous prophylactic methods which seedsmen can use to control or prevent seed transmission of diseases and subsequent losses. Management practices such as planting of disease-free seed, crop rotation, time and depth of sowing, control of alternate hosts, and time of harvest may be used to reduce transmission of seed-borne diseases. Curative measures include seed dressings and thermotherapy. The most effective method of prevention of loss is host plant resistance. Fortunately, there are sources of resistance to the major seed transmitted diseases of corn and sorghum. The prevention of disease in stored grains may be achieved by maintaining the correct levels of hygiene, moisture content, relative humidity and temperature during storage.
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