DISEASE OF MAIZE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19860, 2 February 1928, Page 16

DISEASE OF MAIZE.

CONCERN IN VICTORIA. Growers of maize in Victoria are becoming perturbed at the marked increase of the disease known as dry rot, or ear rot. First recorded in 1922, the trouble apparently is now firmly established in East Gippsland Discussing the matter recently, tho Min ister for Agriculture (Mr. Slater), said a characteristic of the disease was the rotting of the cob, generally the core. In some cases the grain did not develop fully. When placed in the crib affected cobs developed moulds and soon decayed. If left in the field they turned black. As the development of the disease was favoured by wet weather many growers were unaware of its. nature, and attributed the deterioration of the cobs to climatic conditions. The disease was caused by a fungus, and was spread by spores or seeds of the fungus. The disease could be spread by sowing infected seed, but diseased stalks and cobs left in the field were probably a more serious source of infection. Treatment of seed by pickling was of no avail, and the only known methods of control were as follow : —Rotation of crops Careful seed selection to secure seed free from the' disease. Tho burning of old stems, leaves and stubble where cobs have been found to be infected. Ploughing in did not destroy the spores, and maize planted on the same land in the following year might be infected. Diseased cobs should not be allowed to remain in the paddock, but should be gathered up and burnt