First Characterisation of the Species Complex on Maize Leaves in Central Europe.

In the last decade, the cultivated area of maize has increased in Central Europe due to its high yield potential and diverse uses for feed and bio-energy. This has led to more intense maize cultivation, with narrowed crop rotations resulting in the increase in maize leaf diseases. During 2012 and 2013, an inventory of maize leaf spot diseases was carried out in various regions in Central Europe.

Impact of Environmental Conditions and Agronomic Practices on the Prevalence of Species Associated with Ear- and Stalk Rot in Maize.

species are common pathogens on maize and reduce the product quality through contamination with mycotoxins thus jeopardizing safety of both animal feed and human food products. Monitoring of infected maize ears and stalks was conducted in Germany to determine the range of species present in the field and to assess the impact of tillage, crop rotation, and weather conditions on the frequency of species. From 2016 till 2018, a total of 387 infected ears and 190 stalk segments from 58 locations in Germany were collected.