Dates on the Fusarium stalk rot

The stalk strength of maize is of outstanding importance for reliable maize production. Maize stalk strength depends on two major factors: the mechanical structure of the stalk and the occurrence of stalk rot caused by various Fusarium and Macrophomina species. The degree of infection of three hybrids and their parental lines to fusarium stalk rot was tested by artificial inoculation with two Fusarium graminearum isolates (FG36, FGH4) over three years (2006-2008). The cellulase activity in artificially infected maize stalk tissue was measured in 2006, and the correlation between stalk rot caused by maize Fusarium and the level of cellulase activity was determined. The greatest level of infection was recorded in 2007, and FGH4 proved to be the more pathogenic isolate. When testing for resistance to fusarium stalk rot it is not sufficient to observe only natural infection levels. The resistance level of the female parent is probably decisive in the inheritance of fusarium stalk rot resistance. The regression analysis showed that stalk rot caused by maize Fusarium is in close positive correlation with the level of cellulase activity.