These pests & diseases threaten him

The most common diseases in corn

One of the few, more common corn diseases is corn bump blight. This is a fungus that only affects corn. It causes tumor-like growths that mainly affect the cobs. Although the corn smut is considered a pest in our country, in Mexico it is a delicacy known as "Huitlacoche". Treating already infected plants is difficult, but prevention is possible and makes sense. For this, maize should not be grown on the same area for several years in a row.

Corn rust occurs mainly in the south

Corn rust is also a fungal disease that occurs mainly in warmer areas of Germany. However, this disease hardly plays a role in the garden. The fungus mainly migrates from certain wood sorrel species to maize. On the other hand, emergence and seedling diseases, which result in poor growth and poor harvests, are more common. You can prevent such problems by not sowing corn too early and avoiding waterlogging.

The most common pests in corn

Far more often than diseases, however, it is primarily animal pests that damage your own maize harvest. Above all, these are birds such as sparrows, blackbirds and other songbirds. They also appreciate sweet, nutritious corn. To prevent bird damage, the maize plants should be covered with a bird protection net - at least when the maize has reached the milk-ripe stage.

Great damage from voles and moles

On the other hand, damage caused by voles or moles, which feast on the roots underground and can cause the plants to die, is less easy to remove. Voles in particular can only be dealt with with a special trap.

Insect pests mainly in industrial maize cultivation

The European corn borer, on the other hand, is also an insect that only affects corn. It is a pink to dark brown colored, nocturnal butterfly that lays its eggs on the underside of the leaf. The corn rootworm can also cause considerable damage. The yellow-brown beetle lays its eggs on the rhizome, then its larvae feed on the corn roots. You can only encounter both insects with preventive alternating cultivation.

Important information for preventing damage from diseases and pests

• at sowing respectively. Avoid planting outdoors in freezing weather
• at least 10 degrees floor temperature
• Avoid waterlogging, but keep plants moist
• Change cultivation area annually (changing crop rotation)
• Attach bird protection net

Tips & Tricks

Many pests (u. a. European corn borer, corn rootworm) are attracted by weeds. You should therefore remove weeds from the maize field regularly and carefully remove or remove all residues after the harvest. undermine.