Stalk rot is a common problem in grain sorghum, and is already causing some lodging this year. Although stalk rot occurs in both sorghum and corn, it can be an even bigger problem in grain sorghum than in corn due to a generally thinner stalk in sorghum.
Figure 1. Sorghum lodging in 2015 caused by Fusarium stalk rot. Photo by Kim Larson, K-State Research and Extension.
Annual losses are difficult to determine, because unless lodging occurs, the disease goes mostly unnoticed. The best estimates are that at least 5 percent of the sorghum crop is lost each year to stalk rot. The incidence of stalk rot in individual fields may reach 90 to 100 percent with yield losses of 50 percent. The most obvious losses occur when plants lodge. More important may be the yield losses that go unnoticed.
In sorghum, these losses are caused by reduced head size, poor filling of grain, and early head lodging as plants mature early.
In grain sorghum, the two most common types of stalk rot are charcoal rot and Fusarium stalk rot. Although caused by many different organisms, the symptoms of the various stalk rots are somewhat similar.
Symptoms generally appear several weeks after pollination when the plant appears to prematurely ripen. The leaves become dry, taking on a grayish-green appearance similar to frost injury. The stalk usually dies a few weeks later. Diseased stalks can be easily crushed when squeezed between the thumb and finger and are more susceptible to lodging during wind or rainstorms. The most characteristic symptom of stalk rot is the shredding of the internal tissue in the lowest internodes of the stalk, which can be observed when the stalk is split. This shredded tissue may be tan colored (Fusarium stalk rots); red or salmon, (Fusarium and Gibberrella stalk rots); or grayish-black (charcoal rot).
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Summary of sorghum stalk rots |
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Disease |
Symptoms |
Weather |
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Charcoal rot stalk rot |
Internal shredding of lower nodes; black sclerotia attached to the vascular tissue |
High soil temperatures (98 degrees F) and low soil moisture during grain fill |
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Fusarium stalk rot |
Internal shredding of lower nodes; tan or pink-to-purple internal discoloration |
Dry conditions early and warm (82-86 degrees F) wet weather 2 to 3 weeks after pollination |
Charcoal rot
Hot, droughty weather with soil temperatures in the range of 90 degrees or more are ideal for the development of charcoal rot. Drought does not cause the problem, but it weakens the plants’ defenses to the disease. Charcoal rot is usually less severe if drought stress is not a factor.
While it is difficult to separate the effects of charcoal rot from simple drought stress, a good rule of thumb is that plants infected with charcoal rot will die about two weeks earlier from dry weather than plants that do not have charcoal rot. Grain fill that would have occurred during this period is the amount of yield loss that can be attributed to charcoal rot.
The plants will die prematurely. When stalks are split, the typical shredded appearance in the lower stalk associated with all stalk rots will be present. Additionally, there will be a gray to black discoloration of the inner stalk caused by numerous sclerotia (small, black reproductive structures of the fungus) forming on the vascular bundles and decaying tissue.
Figure 2. Close-up of charcoal rot in grain sorghum. Photo by Doug Jardine, K-State Research and Extension.
Fusarium stalk rot
Fusarium root and stalk rot is generally found in the same areas where charcoal rot develops. The pith of Fusarium stalk rot infected plants will have a shredded appearance and is typically tan in color, but in some hybrids the pith in the lower stalk may be pink to red in color. Plants may die prematurely or lodge.
Fusarium stalk rot is favored by dry conditions early in the season, which decreases nutrient solubility, making the nutrients unavailable to the plant. Later in the season, following pollination, warm (82 to 86 degrees), wet weather can leach remaining nutrients from the soil resulting in late-season nitrogen stress and an increase in stalk rot.
Figure 3. Fusarium stalk rot in grain sorghum. Source: Stalk Rots of Corn and Sorghum, K-State publication L-741.
General considerations
Stalk rot is a stress-related disease. Any stress on a crop can increase both the incidence and severity of stalk rot. Research has indicated that when the carbohydrates used to fill the grain become unavailable due to nutrient shortage, drought stress, leaf damage from insects, hail, disease or reduced sunlight, the plant uses nitrogen and carbohydrate reserves stored in the stalk to complete grain fill. Where sugarcane aphids pressure was heavy this year, that will likely increase the incidence of stalk rot and producers should be prepared to harvest as soon as the grain is ready.
The loss of nitrogen and carbohydrate reserves resulting from leaf damage weakens stalk tissues and results in increased stalk rot susceptibility. Early maturing hybrids are generally more susceptible than full-season hybrids.
Other than irrigation or rain, there is little that can be done to prevent stalk rot by late summer. No hybrid has complete immunity to the stalk rotting pathogens. When choosing a hybrid, a grower should select a hybrid that is not only a high yielder, but one that has good standability and “stay-green” characteristics. This will help assure that if stalk rot does occur, losses due to lodging will be minimal. A balanced nutrition program based on soil tests should be used. Overall fertility levels should be adjusted to fit the hybrid, plant population, soil type, environmental conditions and management program. An excess as well as a shortage of nitrogen can lead to increased stalk rot problems.
Producers can check their sorghum for stalk rots by squeezing the lower stem with their thumb and fingers. If the stalks crush easily, they are probably infected with one of the stalk rot organisms and may lodge at any time. Check 100 plants across the field to determine the percent of affected plants. If the percentage of stalk-rot-infected plants is high, sorghum should be harvested as soon as possible, even if it hasn’t dried down adequately in the field. If the stalks are firm, the plants will probably be able to stand just fine in the field for several more weeks if necessary.
Rotation with non-susceptible crops, such as small grains and alfalfa will reduce the severity of stalk rot but will not eliminate it. A good insect control program is a must in limiting losses to stalk rot. In addition to the effect of leaf damage on stalk integrity, pathogens may enter stalks or roots through wounds created by insects. Hail damage will generally increase the amount of stalk rot damage.
For more information, see “Stalk Rots of Corn and Sorghum,” K-State publication L-741, at: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/L741.pdf
Doug Jardine, Extension Plant Pathology
jardine@ksu.edu
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