Pest, weed and disease threats to maize
- Weed control in maize Maize seedlings struggle to compete with other plants, such as weeds or volunteers from previous crops. Weed control during the first six weeks after sowing is crucial to killing weeds before they impact crop performance.
- Pest threats to maize Bird damage to a maize crop Image copyright Bayer CropScience Limited.
- Disease threats to maize
What are the pests and diseases that attack maize? However, there are a number of pests and diseases that attack maize and limit yields. Below we outline four pests and diseases of maize and how to spot them. Head smut is a disease caused by a fungus that infects tassels, ears, and occasionally leaves. It can spread via wind and can survive for years in the soil.
Why is maize yield low in Africa? Maize suffers from a number of insect pests that usually leads to reduction in yield of the plant. In many African countries, the average maize yield per hectare is very low. These insect pests of maize cause damage to the plant and these cause stress to the plant.
How do you control maize pests and diseases? Control vectors by treating seed and/ foliar spray with suitable insecticide. Follow crop rotation with non cereals at least for two seasons. Plant maize only in main rainy season instead of short rainy season. Grow available resistant varieties.
What is the main enemy of maize? The Corn earworm (Helicoverpa armigera or Helicoverpa zea) is an important and common insect enemy of maize and can cause extensive damage to sweet corn. The larva can cause damage (due to feeding) to leaves, tassels, and especially the silks and ears, where the insect prefers to be fed.
parts of a maize plant
What are the pests and diseases that attack maize?
What are the major insect pests of maize? We look at some of the major insect pests of maize and the damages they cause to the maize plant and how they can be controlled or managed. African maize stem borer (Busseola fusca) Larvae feed in whorls, causing small windows after the leaf grows out, and some leaves are even rolled up. The larvae tunnel into the stem and inside the stem.
What is a maize stalk borer? The maize stalk or stem borer is a widespread pest, found throughout tropical and sub-tropical areas of Africa, and is one of the major pests of maize. Busseola fusca larvae damage all plant parts of the crops they attack. If farmers do not use controls then infestations can cause yield losses as high as 50%.
What are the main causes of disease in maize? Infectious disease occurring through stomata of maize leaves young. Overpopulation pest and disease attack on the highest for the climate change dry to rainfall, rainy season, factors wetlands due to flow of irrigation, because high air humidity as well as abundance of food.
How do you control maize pests and diseases? Control vectors by treating seed and/ foliar spray with suitable insecticide. Follow crop rotation with non cereals at least for two seasons. Plant maize only in main rainy season instead of short rainy season. Grow available resistant varieties.