CORN STALK ROT SUPPRESSION AND GRAIN-YIELD RESPONSE TO CHLORIDE

Chloride may influence the incidence of corn (Zea mays L.) stalk rot, but supporting research is limited. Field experiments were conducted i n 1994 and 1995 using intensive production practices to determine the effect of CI fertilizer on stalk rot and grain yield. Treatments of 0 and 400 kg Cl ha(-1) were established using K2SO4 or KCl to supply equ al amounts of potassium (K). Applied Cl increased the concentration of Cl in the ear-leaf by more than four-fold and reduced the incidence o f stalk rot by more than half. Grain yield was significantly increased with applied Cl only in 1995. Results show that Cl, applied as KCl fe rtilizer, suppresses corn stalk rot and may increase grain yield.