Sources of infection and disease cycle of Java downy mildew of maize (
Sclerospora maydis) were investigated and it could be confirmed that the dissemination of the disease took place chiefly by the conidia. On the basis of the experiments dealing with the seed transmission, when undried seeds obtained from infected maize were planted, the disease occurred whereas transmission of the disease by seeds was never observed when seeds were dried so as to lower the water content to 18%.
In Indonesia, seeds did not usually give rise to epidemics of downy mildew disease since the law has provided that the seeds must not contain more that 13% in water content. In the Indone-sian farms in many cases, however, the seeds originating from infected maize are left and plowed in the field without harvesting. In such cases, the seeds may act as a source of primary infection at the the time of germination.
In Indonesia, up to now, oospores of
Sclerospora maydis have not been identified. However, according to the author's observations on the occurrence of downy mildew of maize in East Java, it is being assumed that the source of primary infection at the beginning of the main season of maize cultivation following the long dry season may be found in some drought-resistant organs such as the oospores.
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