Diseases of corn

Abstract

Corn is affected by both biotic and abiotic agents. This chapter addresses both types of causal agents. It is the responsibility of the plant pathologist to assist in attempts to minimize crop losses caused by disease. Because of its stature as a food and feed crop, its genetics, and its adaptability to most environments, corn and its diseases can serve as a model system by which certain principles of plant disease development and disease control can be understood and practiced to accomplish the pathologist's responsibility. Abiotic diseases of corn are caused by noninfectious entities. Two main types of abiotic diseases affect corn. One type of disease is the result of internal genetic factors within the plant. The other is a result of external stimuli being exerted upon the corn plant. This type of disease can be further grouped into climatically induced diseases, management practice-induced diseases, and diseases caused by air pollutants.