Pathogenicity ofFusarium SPP. contributing to the stalk rot of Maize in Poland.

During 1985-1989 a stalk rot of early maturity hybrids of maize was studied in Radzikow (Central Poland). It was found thatFusarium species were dominant on plants with stalk rot symptoms. Spectrum ofFusarium spp. had changed within the years. The most frequently isolated were:F.subglutinans,F.culmorum andF.crookwellense. When the disease developed early in the seasonF.graminearum was also present.Predominant species were examined for their pathogenicity according to the modified method of Molot, Simone (1967). Isolates ofF.graminearum andF.culmorum were found to be strong pathogens,F.crookwellense andF.subglutinans - moderate andF.oxysporum andF.eguiseti were the weak ones.