Abstract
Accepted 8th May, 2015
Maize ear rot disease is global phenomena that results on significant yield loss and risks of health to humans and animals. It is also leading constrain on the loss of grain yields due to its occurrence which damage yield and quality of the maize. Moreover, ear or kernel damage of the maize can be caused by a number of fungi, especial Fusarium species. The occurrence of ear rots can vary greatly from year to year as well as field to field. These diseases cause of great concern in maize production worldwide, as it is considered to have a severe impact on the maize production by farmers and it reduces the grain potential income in the market. Therefore, this review can provide a better understanding about effects of ear rot diseases and their implication on maize production. It is also imperative to be thoughtful about these in order to increase grain yields to meet future food requirements amid strong competition for limited resources. Besides, more attention also required on the development of maize cultivars with broad-based resistance to the pathogens. Therefore, this paper aims to understand effects of ear rot disease on maize production.
Keywords: Ear rot diseases, Zea mays L, Fusarium species