Corn: Pythium Damping-Off (Pythium spp.)
Pub 812: Field Crop Protection Guide > Chapter 1: Corn > Pythium Damping-Off
Field Crop Protection Guide 2011-2012, Order 2011-2012 publication
Table of Contents
It is recommended that all seed corn be treated with a fungicide seed treatment to prevent early-season preemergence and postemergent damping-off problems. This will help reduce seed decay and seedling blights. Corn seedling diseases are prevalent under cool wet conditions that keep the soil temperature below 13°C. Low-lying or poorly drained areas of the field are often the first to show disease problems. Seed rots and seedling blights are more severe in no-till or reduced-tillage fields since heavy residue will keep soil temperatures cooler and wetter longer than conventional fields. Damping-off will occur in conventional fields when the crop is planted early in conditions that favour disease development or when environmental conditions cause slow germination. Other factors that delay germination and emergence, such as compaction, crusting, deep planting, etc., can also result in a poor stand. Plant vigour is often reduced in those plants that do survive.
This disease can occur on all soil types but losses are greatest in cold, wet, clay soils. Minimize soil compaction and remove excess moisture through increased drainage. Plant when soil temperatures are above 13°C (55°F). There is no known resistance but some degree of tolerance is available in some hybrids. Crop rotation has limited effect.
Consult with your seed company and the Ontario Corn Committee Hybrid Performance Trials at www.gocorn.net for hybrid selection.
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