Influence of Pollination on Smut Disease and Yield in Maize

Authors : Mehmet AYDOĞDU, Nuh BOYRAZ

Pages : 463-470

Doi:10.15832/ankutbd.490958

View : 22 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2018-12-05

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Ustilago maydis, causal agent of smut disease in maize, induces significant yield losses by forming colossal galls insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(tumours); on cobs. Since infection process of U. maydis is parallel with natural pollination of maize, an interaction between maize pollination and the smut fungus is probable. To reveal this interaction perceptibly, a 2-year field study was carried out in Antalya province of Turkey. As host plants, 8-maize-cultivars belonging to different maize variety groups [dent insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Ada-523, Pioneer-3394 and Side);, flint insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Karaçay and Karadeniz Yıldızı);, sweet insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Merit and Vega); and popcorn insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Antcin-98);] were used in the experiment. Inoculations were performed by injecting inoculum into cob silks in pre- and post-pollination periods in plots. In addition, control plots were set up for each treatment. In conclusion, average disease severity, incidence and yield losses of all the maize cultivars in pre-pollination inoculations insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PrePI); were 3.8, 20.7 and 45.5%, whereas in post-pollination insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PostPI); inoculations, they were 0.9, 15.7 and 35.9%, respectively. It was found that in both years, disease values of the PrePI were higher than those of the PostPI. This study suggested that pollination period of maize is an important factor affecting U. maydis infection in cobs and accordingly yield losses. 
Keywords : Maize pollination, Ustilago maydis, Yield loss