Overwintering and Spore Release ofCercospora zeae-maydisin Corn Debris in North Carolina

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Abstract
C. zeae-maydis survived from Nov. 1979 until May 1980 in corn (Z. mays) debris in fields located in the piedmont region (Raleigh) and mountains (Fletcher) of North Carolina. The fungus survived at Raleigh when positioned 100 cm above the soil surface, on the soil surface, or buried 15 cm below the surface. At Fletcher, the fungus did not survive beyond Jan. in leaf tissue buried 15 cm below the surface. Conidia of C. zeae-maydis were collected in the air above corn debris as early as June 19, 1979. The concentration of airborne conidia was greatest during the week of Sept. 27 to Oct. 2, when the corn kernels were in dough to late dent stage of development. Lesions with C. zeae-maydis did not appear until July 19 (corn in late whorl stage), and rapid disease progression did not occur until Sept. when corn kernels were in milk stage. C. zeae-maydis can overwinter in corn debris and produce conidia early in the season. Failure of the disease to develop early in the season may be related to unfavorable microclimate within the corn canopy.

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