No. 2 (2025)

Articles

Pathogenic fungal pathogens and diseases: a mini review of effects on maize production

Published:

2025-12-02

https://doi.org/10.34101/actaagrar/2/15262

Authors

Magdoline Osman,

Debrecen University

Ronald Kuunya,

Institute of Land Use, Engineering and Precision Farming Technology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi street, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary

Andras Tamas,

Institute of Land Use, Engineering and Precision Farming Technology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi street, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary

Ratonyi Tamas

Institute of Land Use, Engineering and Precision Farming Technology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi street, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary

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Keywords

Maize fungal disease grain quality crop yield

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Osman, M., Kuunya, R. ., Tamas, A. ., & Tamas, R. . (2025). Pathogenic fungal pathogens and diseases: a mini review of effects on maize production. Acta Agraria Debreceniensis, 2, 93-102. https://doi.org/10.34101/actaagrar/2/15262

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Received 2024-12-12
Accepted 2025-10-02
Published 2025-12-02

Abstract

Maize, the most important cereal globally in terms of nutrition and income, is highly susceptible to biotic stresses caused by various pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and parasitic plants. This review gives an account of the epidemiology, diversity, and effect of fungal diseases on maize, with a focus on common pathogens, namely Ustilago sp. and Fusarium sp. Additionally, the review explores the major contributors to the pathogen and disease development, namely: soil quality, temperature, and humidity. Clarity is made herein about the damages and effects on maize growth, including development, yield, and grain quality, with marked economic losses recorded annually. The increasing threat of climate change escalates the dangers, pointing out the urgency for sustainable control strategies of the diseases. Conventional methods of using chemicals have been rendered inadequate for maize fungal disease control, underscoring the need for applying biopesticides and natural products obtained from microorganisms as innovative, remediation strategies. Together with these innovations are biocontrol agents that provide better solutions for reducing the reliance on chemical formulations as well as strengthening a healthier agricultural environment. Finally, a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between maize pathogens and environmental determinants is vital for the development of more effective integrated pest management strategies to enhance maize productivity and subsequent food safety.

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