Analysis on occurrence and influencing factors of maize ear rot in typical desert oasis

Objective The occurrence and epidemic factors of corn ear rot in typical desert oasis ecological areas were analyzed to provide a basis for scientific prevention and control of corn ear rot in Xinjiang.

Methods In 2023, the incidence of corn ear rot was investigated in 135 sample areas in 7 counties of 3 cities in southern and northern Xinjiang, and the relationship between the number of 100 ear worms, the proportion of cotton bollworm, rainfall and cultivation pattern and the incidence was analyzed.

Results A total of 94 corn fields were investigated in Xinjiang, and 53 of them were affected. The average diseased field rate was 56.38% and the average diseased ear rate was 42.11‰. The average diseased field rate and diseased ear rate of spring sowing corn in northern Xinjiang were significantly higher than that of re-sowing corn in southern Xinjiang. The incidence of ear rot was the most serious in Bole City, and the average diseased field rate and diseased ear rate were 63.52% and 45.67‰, respectively. The average diseased field rate and diseased ear rate in Xinyuan County were 61.23% and 41.64‰, respectively. The average number of 100 ears of corn and the proportion of cotton bollworm were the highest in Bole city, which were 75.30 per 100 ears and 92.30%, respectively. Shule County had the lowest average number of 100 ears and the proportion of cotton bollworm were 35.21 per 100 ears and 63.50% respectively. There were positive correlations between the average number of 100 ear worms (F=107.8, P<0.0005, R²=0.7093), the proportion of cotton bollworm (F=12.62, P=0.0238, R²=0.7593) and rainfall (F=9.76, P<0.0354, R²=0.9642). The average field rate and ear rate of ear rot under drip irrigation were significantly higher than those under flood irrigation (P<0.05). In addition, the main pathogens of corn ear rot in Xinjiang were Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium equiseti and Fusarium graminearum.

Conclusion Ear rot occurred seriously in spring sowing corn in northern Xinjiang, and the amount of 100 ear worms and rainfall were the main factors of ear rot. Drip irrigation also had some influence on ear rot.