Notes on Fungal Infestations in Germinating Corn (Zea mays L.) Seed Used For Rearing Spotted Cucumber Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Authors

D. E. Fleming, USDA-ARS
J. T. Reed, Mississippi State UniversityFollow

Abstract

Inability to manage fungal growth (Aspergillus, Fusarium and Rhizopus spp.) in germinating corn seed used as larval medium in a laboratory colony of spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae]) stimulated experimentation to evaluate the efficacy of laboratory fungicide seed treatment and its components with and without agitation, and to determine whether the incidence of fungus in germinating seed differed between seed lots or varieties. The possibility of fungi residing in cracks in corn seed, within the corn seed beyond the reach of fungicidal solutions, and in pits in the exochorion of beetle eggs is discussed. Fungicides reduced fungal infestations below levels of the untreated seed, but percentage of infection of fungicide-treated seed differed between seed lots or variety, suggesting internal as well as surface infection of seeds. Pasteurization of seed and irradiation of seed to eliminate internal fungi is discussed.

Recommended Citation

Fleming, D. E. and Reed, J. T. (2010) "Notes on Fungal Infestations in Germinating Corn (Zea mays L.) Seed Used For Rearing Spotted Cucumber Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)," Midsouth Entomologist: Vol. 3: No. 2, Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/midsouthent/vol3/iss2/1