Sustainable Control Strategies for Ustilago maydis in Maize: Effects on Plant Growth and Yield
Vivian Bunch Davis*, Ebenezer Ayew Appiah and Gábor Tarcali
ABSTRACT
Corn plays a significant role in global food security and the agro-industrial system. However, its productivity is increasingly affected by Ustilago maydis (corn smut), a fungal pathogen that induces significant yield and quality losses. As sustainable agriculture gains attention, the integration of different strategies for controlling diseases has become a research priority. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of different biological and synthetic strategies for managing corn smut infestation and enhancing physiological performance, particularly growth and yield in maize under small-scale field conditions. A field study was conducted at the University of Debrecen experimental garden, using five treatment levels: Mycostart Bio (T1), Mycostart Bio + plant conditioner (T2), Genium (T3), Fungicide (Prosaro) (T4), and a Control (T5). Data were collected on plant height, yield, and incidence of Ustilago maydis infestation on various plant parts. Data gathered was subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat statistical software at 5% significance level. Our data showed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) across all the treatments. However, T2 exhibited the highest average plant height (2.85m) with minimal variability, indicating consistent growth-promoting effects. T4 achieved the highest average yield (12.62 kg), suggesting that fungicidal application remains effective for yield optimisation. Incidence of Ustilago maydis infestation was generally minimal across treatments, likely due to high temperature during the growing season, which is known to suppress fungal development. Our findings highlight the potential of biological treatments like T2 in promoting maize growth and the superior yield performance of synthetic fungicide T4. Our current studies contribute to the understanding of integrated disease management under varying environmental conditions and support the adoption of sustainable practices in maize production
