Abstract: The pathogen of maize stalk rot and the relationship between cultivation techniques and development of the disease were studied in 1986-1991. The results indicated that the disease was caused by several kinds of pathogenetic fungi in Hebei province,among which Fusarium moniliforme, F. grainineasum and Pythium sp. were dominants. They could infect the plant either singly or complexly. There was a significant difference in disease resistance between maize varieties. This disease showed higher incidence when these fungi were inoculated at 6-8 leaf stage than at flowering stage. Seeding date and preceding crops exerted tremendous influences on the disease severity. The control policy for the disease is to select the disease resistant varieties and to use new cultivation techniques.

Key words: Maize stalk rot, Pathogenetic fungi, Varietal resistance, Control measures