Major Maize Diseases in Ethiopia and their Management

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most abundantly produced cereal in the world. It is one of the most popular crops grown in the world, ranking second to wheat and used as a staple food in the tropics. It is the most versatile crop, adaptable to different agro-ecological and climatic conditions. Maize is among the leading cereal crops selected to achieve food self-sufficiency in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, maize is the staple food and one of the main sources of calories, particularly in the major maizeproducing regions of the country. The major constraints to maize production in the country include both abiotic and biotic factors, such as droughts, nutrient deficiencies, weeds, diseases, and insect pests. Among the biotic stresses, diseases are one of the most important limiting factors in maize production. Diseases such as common rust, maize lethal necrosis, gray leaf spot, and turcicum leaf blight diseases are the major constraints in realizing the potential yield loss of this crop. Even though these diseases are the major problems for the crop, there are some disease management options are Using disease resistant cultivars, crop rotation, using fungicides and planting disease free plants are the best methods.