Corn: Pythium Damping-Off (Pythium spp.)

Pub 812: Field Crop Protection Guide > Chapter 1: Corn > Pythium Damping-Off

Field Crop Protection Guide 2011-2012, Order 2011-2012 publication

Table of Contents

  1. Integrated Pest Management Options
    • Seed Treatment
      • metalaxyl-M - Apron XL LS
      • metalaxyl - Allegiance GL, Apron FL
      • azoxystrobin - Dynasty 100 FS
  2. Related links...


Integrated Pest Management Options

It is recommended that all seed corn be treated with a fungicide seed treatment to prevent early-season preemergence and postemergent damping-off problems. This will help reduce seed decay and seedling blights. Corn seedling diseases are prevalent under cool wet conditions that keep the soil temperature below 13°C. Low-lying or poorly drained areas of the field are often the first to show disease problems. Seed rots and seedling blights are more severe in no-till or reduced-tillage fields since heavy residue will keep soil temperatures cooler and wetter longer than conventional fields. Damping-off will occur in conventional fields when the crop is planted early in conditions that favour disease development or when environmental conditions cause slow germination. Other factors that delay germination and emergence, such as compaction, crusting, deep planting, etc., can also result in a poor stand. Plant vigour is often reduced in those plants that do survive.

Seed Treatment

This disease can occur on all soil types but losses are greatest in cold, wet, clay soils. Minimize soil compaction and remove excess moisture through increased drainage. Plant when soil temperatures are above 13°C (55°F). There is no known resistance but some degree of tolerance is available in some hybrids. Crop rotation has limited effect.

Consult with your seed company and the Ontario Corn Committee Hybrid Performance Trials at www.gocorn.net for hybrid selection.

 
 
Active ingredient metalaxyl-M
Trade name Apron XL LS
Rate (product) 20-40 mL per 100 kg seed
Comments For use in commercial seed treatment facilities only.Do not use in hopper-box, planter-box, slurry-box or other non-commercial seed treatment applications at or immediately before planting. Do not graze or cut for forage within 4 weeks after planting. Read label for information regarding resistant strains of fungus.

 

 
Active ingredient metalaxyl
Trade name Allegiance FL
Rate (product) 46-110 mL per 100 kg seed
Comments Do not graze or feed livestock on seeded area for 4 weeks after planting.

 

 
Active ingredient metalaxyl
Trade name Apron FL
Rate (product) 46-110 mL per 100 kg seed
Comments Do not graze or feed livestock on seeded area for 4 weeks after planting.

 

 
Active ingredient azoxystrobin
Trade name Dynasty 100 FS
Rate (product) 10 mL per 100 kg seed
Comments For use in commercial seed treatment facilities only. Do not use in hopper-box, planter-box, slurry-box or other non-commercial seed treatment applications at or immediately before planting. Must be used in combination with Maxim XL for control of other corn diseases.

 

Related links...

 


For more information:
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E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
Author: OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date: 2 May 2011
Last Reviewed: 10 May 2011