Stewart's disease of Corn
Rand, F.V.; Cash, L.C.
Journal of Agricultural Research (Washington, D.C.) 21(4): 263-264
1921
ISSN/ISBN: 0095-9758 Accession: 013509756
This wilt, caused by Aplanobacter stewarti (E. F. S.) McCul., has been observed in most parts of the United States, but not in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Cultures of the causal organism have been obtained from most localities where the disease has been noted by the authors, and experiments have proved that it is transmitted neither through the soil nor by proximity to diseased stalks, but that the seeds of affected plants are the most probable carriers as the organism has been isolated from their endosperm. Under 20 per cent. infection usually occurs, bot instances of 100 per cent. infection have been met with among the earlier varieties. Moisture and high temperature favour the development of the disease, and it has been found that anything which retards the germination and early development of the seedling lessens the chances of infection from the seed. The latter, if infected, may be rendered safe for planting by a dry heat 'pasteurization' at 60 degrees to 70 degrees C. for one hour. Other control methods are still in the experimental stage, bat it seems clear that northern-grown seed is less likely to carry infection than that grown farther south.