Status of turcicum leaf blight of maize in Karnataka

Turcicum leaf blight (TLB) of maize caused by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass) Leonard. Suggs. is a major production constraint of maize crop in Karnataka. The symptoms were observed at different stages of growth. Elongated spindle shaped necrotic deep grey lesions on leaves and straw coloured centre with dark margins giving plant a scorched appearance and leading to premature killing of plants with small sized, curved, partially filled malformed chaffy cobs with shrivelled grains were observed. Survey indicated that, the disease was noticed in all the maize growing areas of the state in a low to severe form. The highest disease severity (55.89%) was observed in Belgaum district and the lowest disease severity (27.64%) in Koppal district.The cultivars, viz., Arabhavi Local, G-25, GS-2, DHM-105, Amar-666 and Mukta were found severely affected by TLB. The symptoms at different stages of growth and disease severity at different locations and varieties/ hybrids are discuss