Objectives:
- Examine pathogenic and beneficial microbial populations, as well as insect injury, associated with roots in historically lower-yielding sweet corn fields and compare to "new" corn plantings in close vicinity.
- Examine abiotic factors in addition to pathogenic and beneficial microbial populations, as well as insect injury, associated with roots in sweet corn plantings exhibiting leaf-firing and those that have no evidence of leaf-firing, especially "new" corn plantings.
- In greenhouse studies, examine soil from fields exhibiting leaf-firing and those that have no evidence of leaf-firing for soil microbial factors coupled with water stress to observe effects on root health and leaf-firing.
Technical Assistance:
- Beth Dankert, Botany and Plant Pathology, OSU
Cooperators:
- Dan McGrath, Ext. Agent, OSU Ext. Service-Marion County
- N. S. (Bill) Mansour, Extension Specialist and Professor, Horticulture, OSU
- Mary L. Powelson, Professor, Botany and Plant Pathology, OSU