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Abstract
Since 2017 corn crops (var. Simijaca) that are adapted to cold climate production zones in Colombia has been affected by Stalk Rot with an incidence up to 40% which is caused by F. graminearum and F. subglutinans. This study aimedto determine the sources of Fusarium spp. inoculum and evaluate the effect of management of potentialInoculum on disease, plant growth and crop yield, and to relate the preponderant climate and landscape conditions with the disease. Two plots were selected for the study, one with corn-corn crop sequences where the crop residues were kept or removed, and the other with a rotation scheme including zucchini (Cucurbitapepo). The corn seeds were treated with wet and dry heat at different temperatures and evaluate in join with residues management as measures of the disease control. Fusarium inoculum were detected on stand corn crop residues, detritus on the soil, air and seeds. The results indicated that crop rotation, crop residues removal, and heat treatments on the seed were effective strategies for managing the disease. Crop rotation showed the highest growth values, while seed treatments with dry heat at 50°C under crop rotation showed the lowest incidence and lodging, However, regarding yield, crop rotation reduced to the middle the number of ears despite the fact that higher growth values were obtained, highlighting the importance of the association of corn of the regional variety Simijaca (var. Simijaca)with F. graminearum and F. subglutinans. The obtained results allowed the holistic understanding of corn lodging and providedinsights for the design of disease management strategies for corn production systems in cold weather in the tropics.
