Sick pathogens make poor pests in biological control of corn diseases

Abstract

Maize grains were soaked in suspensions of Melanospora damnosa, Nectria gliocladioides or Sphaeronaemella helvellae and germinated under various conditions. Seed treatment reduced the incidence of seedborne and soilborne fungi, reduced root necrosis and increased seedling vigour. Infestation of soil with M. damnosa increased the frequency of association of M. damnosa with Fusarium moniliforme [ Gibberella fujikuroi ] in maize pith samples. This paper was presented at a symposium held at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Beltsville, MD, USA, on 8-11 May, 1989.