N-Stabilizer and Foliar Fertilizer Treatments Enhance Tolerance to Specific Pathogens in Maize (Zea mays L.)
Summary
Presently, due to unpredictable climatic conditions crop cultivation has become extremely challenging. Adverse environmental factors, such as uneven precipitation distribution, frequent soil droughts, extreme temperature fluctuations all induce a disturbance in crop nutrient uptake, and the infections of pathogens in stressed crops pose an increased threat, as well Besides the fact that foliar fertilizer is energetically beneficial for crops, it also improves nutrient use and prevents nutrient deficiencies. Despite the regular and wide-range application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers, N-losses resulting from nitrate leaching are often considerable, which can be reduced by N-stabilizers providing sufficient available N-forms in the soil for crops during the critical growth stage. The present paper focuses on enhancing the natural tolerance of the maize (Zea mays L.) treated with N-stabilizer containing nitrapyrin and foliar fertilizer to the Fusarium and Aspergillus ear rot (Fusarium verticillioides; Aspergillus flavus) pathogens. Data suggest that the maize treated with both nitrapyrin and foliar fertilizer was the most resistant to the pathogens compared to untreated crops. The findings drive attention to the importance of optimal, balanced nutrient supply.
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