Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilization Modulate Dalbulus maidis (HEMIPTERA: CICADELLIDAE) Abundance and Corn Stunt Disease Severity

Ademar Novais Istchuk (), Matheus Henrique Schwertner, Matheus Luis Ferrari, Luiz Henrique Marques and Vanda Pietrowski
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Ademar Novais Istchuk: Corteva Agriscience, Linha Marreco Km 2, Toledo 85900-970, Brazil
Matheus Henrique Schwertner: Corteva Agriscience, Linha Marreco Km 2, Toledo 85900-970, Brazil
Matheus Luis Ferrari: Corteva Agriscience, Linha Marreco Km 2, Toledo 85900-970, Brazil
Luiz Henrique Marques: Corteva Agriscience, Avenida Tambore, 267, Alphaville 06460-000, Brazil
Vanda Pietrowski: Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Rua Pernambuco, 82, Marechal Cândido Rondon 85960-000, Brazil

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: Corn stunt complex, transmitted by the corn leafhopper ( Dalbulus maidis ), poses significant yield risks to corn production. This study evaluated the effects of two corn hybrids and top-dressed nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilization on D. maidis incidence and corn stunt symptom expression under field conditions. Eighteen treatments were tested in a randomized complete block design with six replications over two seasons. Leafhopper populations were monitored using yellow sticky traps, and symptom incidence and severity were assessed at R 1 and R 3 stages, respectively. While D. maidis populations varied substantially between seasons, neither N nor K fertilization, nor hybrid selection, significantly affected vector abundance. Importantly, symptom frequency and severity were not directly proportional to leafhopper density. Top-dressed fertilization, particularly with K, reduced the visual expression of corn stunt symptoms although it did not prevent infection. Hybrid responses to fertilization varied, with a genotype exhibiting greater symptom mitigation. Grain yield was not significantly influenced by nutrient rates or hybrid choice. These findings suggest that balanced N and K fertilization enhances crop resilience to corn stunt disease without directly suppressing vector populations. Integrating nutritional management with hybrid selection presents a promising strategy to add in corn stunt control and deepens our understanding of the environmental factors that mitigate severe symptoms.

Keywords: corn leafhopper; Zea mays; mollicutes; insect vector; top-dressing fertilization; maize (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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