3 Stalk ots Bacterial Stalk Rot Bacterial stalk rot, caused by the bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi pv.zeae, is typically only a problem in irrigated fields (particularly seed corn fields). To our knowledge, this is the first report of this disease causing damage to sweet corn in North Carolina. have been found on symptomatic plants from affected sweet corn fields in the Willamette Valley. Fusarium spp. Pink root of onion (Allium cepa) and red root rot of corn (Zea mays) are caused by the soilborne pathogen Phoma terrestris. Unlike many of the fungal stalk rots, bacterial stalk Red root rot was prevalent on field corn in the Delmarva Peninsula throughout the late 1980s and 1990s (1). and Pythium spp. Historically the greatest economical impact has been with pink rot of onion worldwide, but since the mid 1980’s there has been an increase in prevalence of the red root rot disease in the Delmarva (Deleware, Maryland and Virginia peninsula) corn producing areas (3). See: Corn (Zea mays)-Seed Rot, Damping-off, and Seedling Blight Cause A fungal complex can incite root rot on dent and sweet corn. Root decay often accompa-nies stalk rot diseases and in severe cases, premature death may occur in as little as two days. It also may look similar to Gibberella stalk rot. This publication contains infor-mation on stalk rot diseases found in Nebraska corn, including S Plants wilt, take on a grayish-green hue, and then turn tan. The pathogen overwinters on corn, wheat and barley debris. exterior. Red Root Rot of Corn being Observed at Harvest Red root rot is a late season disease characterized by the pink to red discoloration of the root and crown tissue, usually not apparent until just prior to senescence. This disease can occur throughout the U.S. Mid-West and Southern Ontario. Gibberella Ear Rot, or Red Ear Rot, is caused by the fungus, Gibberella zeae (Fusarium graminearum). red root rot of field corn and also causes root rot of perennial ryegrass. Fusarium crown rot and Fusarium root rot in corn are in the class known as fusarium pathogens. Foliar symptoms Not only does it affect corn, gardeners may also see this in vegetables, shrubs, trees and ornamental plants. Symptoms of Fusarium stalk rot include rotting at roots, crown and lower internodes.