Anthracnose of maize

Anthracnose of maize (Glomerella graminicola) is a filamentous ascomycete fungus. The fungus can cause devastating foliar leaf blight and stalk rot diseases. It has become recognized as one of the predominant stalk rot pathogens of maize in North America during the past few decades.

Symptoms
The fungus damages plant roots, causes rot of stems and wilt of leaves, infects ears and seeds of corn. On leaves lesions are ½-2cm (¼-¾in) long, sometimes having reddish or orange edge. They can grow and fuse, covering all leaf. At first lower leaves and then upper ones are damaged. Stems are infected at different stages of plant development. External parts of stem are discolored. The stems are lightly destructible. The fungus overwinters on plant debris. The disease is observed in winter and in autumn.