600 Hectares of Maize Stem Rot

Kotabaru, South Kalimantan 2/12 (AntaranewsKalsel) - Approximately 600 hectares of corn crops in Sengayam, Kotabaru, South Kalimantan, threatened rot disease of bananas.

"Of the approximately 600 hectares of corn planting, four hectares have been attacked by stem rot disease caused by fungus," said a farmer in the Sengayam village, Sukatno, Friday.

The Kotabaru Plant Disease Control Coordinator Siti Saadah revealed the condition has been reported to agriculture counseling team in the field.

"Currently, the Kotabaru Agriculture Agency together with Tanah Bumbu Mudalang Plant Food Crops and Horticulture Protection (PTPH) Laboratory  providing fungicide assistance to prevent the spread of stem rot disease," he explained.

He hoped, the pest poison capable of preventing the spread of diseases that threaten young age maize plants.

Based on field observations the affected corn plants look withered, stem rot, resulting fruit is not good, so the yields are not optimal.

Head of the PTPH Laboratory Mudalang Fahmi worrisome when the disease attacked the young plants resulted in plants to die before producing corn.

"Currently the stem rot diseases attacking almost harvest plants and resulting crop yields are not optimal," he said.

It is feared that if the stem rot disease attack young corn plants could lead to crop failure.