Incidence of stalk rots in corn hybrids influenced by sowing time and nitrogen rates

Stalk rots compromise the translocation of water and nutrients, affecting grain filling. This study aimed to quantify the incidence of stalk rots in corn hybrids depending on sowing time and nitrogen topdressing rate, and to assess any correlation with grain yield. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in Atalanta, Santa Catarina state, Brazil, using a split-split-plot randomized block design. The hybrids AG 9025 PRO3 (super-early) and 30F53 VYH (early) were sown in the preferential (September 20) and late December 5) sowing seasons with four nitrogen rates (0, 150, 300, and 450 kg.ha(-1)). The population density was 75,000 plants.ha(-1) and the nitrogen topdressing was carried out at the V4, V8, and V12 stages. The fungus Colletotrichum graminicola predominated in both hybrids and its presence was negatively correlated with stalk diameter and yield. The hybrid AG9025 PRO3 was more susceptible to stalk rot (35.1%) than the hybrid 30F53 VYH (8.8%). A higher incidence of stalk rot was observed in the late sowing season (31.1%) than in the preferential sowing season (11.2%). A decrease in the incidence of stalk rot was observed in the hybrid AG9025 PRO3 as nitrogen rates increased, but this behavior was not clearly observed in the hybrid 30F53 VYH.