Maize is an extremely robust plant that is rarely attacked by disease. On the other hand, damage caused by animal and plant pests is far more common, but this can be prevented and treated with simple means.
The most common diseases in corn
One of the few, more common corn diseases is corn smut. This is a fungus that only affects corn. It causes tumor-like growths that mainly affect the buttocks. While we consider corn smut a pest, in Mexico it's a delicacy known as "huitlacoche." Treating already infected plants is difficult, but prevention is possible and useful. However, maize should not be grown on the same area for several years in a row.
Corn rust occurs mainly in the south
Also, the corn rust in a fungal disease that occurs mainly in warmer areas of Germany. However, this disease hardly plays a role in the garden. The fungus migrates from certain types of sorrel to corn. On the other hand, casserole and seedling diseases, which result in reduced growth and a poor harvest, are more common. You can prevent such problems by not sowing corn too early and avoiding waterlogging.
The most common pests in corn
However, animal pests in particular damage your own maize harvest much more frequently than diseases. Above all, these are birds such as sparrows, blackbirds and other songbirds. They also appreciate sweet, nutritious corn. To prevent birds from being eaten, the maize plants should be covered with a bird protection net - at least when the maize reaches the stage of milk maturity.
Great damage from voles and moles
On the other hand, damage caused by voles or moles, which feed underground on the roots and can thus cause the plants to die, is less easy to eliminate. Voles in particular can only be caught with a special trap.
Harmful insects, especially in industrial maize cultivation
The corn borer, on the other hand, is also an insect that only infests corn. It is a pink to dark brown, nocturnal butterfly that lays its eggs on the underside of leaves. The corn rootworm can also cause significant damage. The yellow-brown beetle lays its eggs on the rootstock, after which its larvae feed on the corn roots. Both insects can only be counteracted by preventive alternating cultivation.
Important information for the prevention of damage caused by diseases and pests
- Avoid frost when sowing or planting outdoors
- at least 10 degrees ground temperature
- Avoid waterlogging, but keep plants moist
- Change acreage annually (changing crop rotation)
- Install bird protection net
tips and tricks
Many pests (including corn borers, corn rootworms) are attracted by weeds. You should therefore regularly remove weeds from the corn field and also carefully remove or undermine all residues after harvest.