New study explores sweet corn’s battle between beneficial, harmful fungi

A recent study by scientists at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) revealed the complex interaction between sweet corn’s defense mechanisms against harmful fungi and the effectiveness of beneficial fungi used as biopesticides.

The study, led by entomologist Pat Dowd and molecular biologist Eric Johnson, explored how some varieties of Fusarium-resistant sweet corn impact the biopesticide Beauveria bassiana, used to kill caterpillar pests.

The research builds on a 2022 study with field corn, which showed that while certain corn lines resist Fusarium disease, they can also hinder Beauveria’s ability to kill pests like European corn borers and fall armyworms. However, some corn lines demonstrated both strong disease resistance and effective pest control.

In the sweet corn trials, caterpillar mortality varied depending on the corn line and Beauveria strain used. The findings suggest that identifying sweet corn lines with both Fusarium resistance and compatibility with Beauveria could be especially beneficial for organic growers seeking non-chemical pest control solutions.

The study results will aid breeders in developing sweet corn varieties that optimize both disease and pest resistance. Detailed findings are available online.