Prevent your silage crop from setosphaeria turcica

Protect your silage maize

Setosphaeria turcica is the most common strain of Helminthosporiosis in Europe. The disease thrives in hot and humid conditions, posing a threat to your silage maize yields. Fodder losses are significant, especially if the outbreak occurs during flowering and can reach two to four tons of DM/ha, in addition to impacting the starch rate (a loss of five to ten points).  

The disease also has consequences on the compaction of the silo and on its conservation properties. In addition, cattle farmers often observe problems with the palatability of the silage, with animals sometimes outright refusing to ingest it. 

Identification and impacts

Setosphaeria turcica infections occur in the period after flowering, when temperatures are between 18 and 25°C and humidity levels are above 95% (morning dew, rain). The disease is spread by wind and rain, and can be carried over in plant debris on the surface of your fields. 

Identification

  • Symptoms appear on the leaves after flowering (sometimes before flowering): grey-brown spots appear, lengthen and become confluent.  
  • Setosphaeria turcica appears as spindle-shaped spots, which increase in size as the infection progresses.  
  • At the end of the attack, the leaves dry out completely and will be covered with black, soot-like spores. 

Impacts

If the disease develops during flowering, you will see the infected foliage dry out rapidly. 

  • Infected and susceptible maize on the left and resistant maize on the right. 
  • Moderately tolerant varieties will show some infection, but the overall impact on the yield will be reduced. 

Best practices for disease management

  • Choose a variety that is tolerant to Setosphaeria turcica 
  • Crush and incorporate the crop residues quickly after harvesting to destroy as much mycelium as possible
  • Limit monocultures – aim for a three-year crop rotation 
  • Scout your fields and consider applying a fungicide around flowering time if symptoms appear 

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