Abstract only

In Georgia, maize is cultivated almost in all zones of agricultural production and specialization including the zone of suburban agriculture at Low Kartli Plain. We aimed at development of effective measures to control maize diseases in the above mentioned region through seed treatment technologies. At laboratory investigation of fungi-toxic and fungi-static effects of modern seed treatment fungicides (TMTD, Fundazol, Baitan and Vitavax,) through the methods of contact germination of fungal spores and suppression of mycelium development the best results were recorded for Vitavax and TMTD. This fact enables to suppose their high biological (technical) effectiveness in controlling of most common diseases of maize such as com smut and fusariosis (Abdel Cader, 1989). The tests provide evidence that combination of Vitavax and TMTD in controlling of common corn smut and fusariosis will not suppress their effectiveness. Application of b this mixture will help to reduce use of toxic and expensive substances. At the same time this mixture can be successfully used not only against common corn smut and fusariosis but also against root rots and moulds. Vitavaxc is remarkable by its effect on germination ability of the treated grains, length of the shoots and weight of the roots, compared to other treatment substances and considering its high fungi- static and fungi-toxic effects it should have leading place in protection of maize against fungous diseases in Kvemo Kartli plain environment. Almost all the tested seed treatments positively influence growth and development of maize in field conditions, contributing to the development of taller plants, bigger leaves, thicker stems and higher number of ears per plant compared to the plants that germinated from the untreated grains. The highest values for average weight of one ear, number of grains per ear, weight of grains per ear and 1000 grain weight were recorded for the Vitavax-treated plants; they were followed by the TMTD-treated plants and finally by the Fundazol- treated plants. Field-tested treatments strongly affect maize yield. Namely, upon the treatment with Vitavax Papalashvili-3 and Kartuli-9 yielded as much as 78,0 c/ha and 71,0 c/ha respectively. In case of Baitan treatment 49,4 and 69,1 c/ha were recorded Papalashvili-3 and Kartuli-9 respectively and for TMTD treatment respective yield values were 60,9 and 69,4 c/ha, while for Fundazol treatment 46,3 and 67,5 c/ha correspondingly. Sometimes seed treatment effect raises yield 1.5- fold or even doubles it compared to both infected and healthy checks. Thus, we are able to suggest that the basic maize diseases in the Kvemo Kartli plain environment should be controlled by Vitavax or TMTD seed treatments in respective proportions of2.5 kg/ton and 2.0 kg/ton.

English

0409|AGRIS 0401|AL-Maize Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection