Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1925

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Botany

Abstract

During the last decade the annual loss due to corn rot diseases has been so great that much attention has been given this problem. These diseases, according to several authorities are caused by certain fungi and bacteria which live parasitically upon the corn plant and are known as root, stalk and ear rots. Several species are found on the seed and start growth as soon as the seed germinates. These same species are found living in the soil. When these organisms are found to be prevalent on the seed and in the soil all stages of growth in the corn plant are usually attacked. These rot diseases are not confined to one locality but are common throughout the entire corn belt. Recently a new theory has been advanced which suggests that these rots are not caused by organisms but are in part due to soluble iron and aluminum compounds in the soil which have been taken up into the lower nodes of the corn plants and that the infection is secondary. This has been noted when lime and phosphorus have been deficient in the soil. It is believed that when these toxic salts of iron and aluminum are taken up in large quantities the lower nodes have discolorations, sometimes with lesions, and the vascular bundles are plugged thus stopping the nutrition of those particular nodes and giving a favorable condition for infection from these disease producing organisms.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Corn -- Diseases and pests
Corn--Breeding

Description

Includes bibliographical references (page 59)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

62

Publisher

South Dakota State College

Rights

No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/

Download

Share

COinS