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Liberation of Helminthosporium maydis spores by wind in the field. Donald E. Aylor, Associate Scientist, Department of Ecology and Climatology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, 06504; Raymond J. Lukens, Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology and Botany, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, 06504. Phytopathology 64:1136-1138. Accepted for publication 23 March 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-64-1136.

To separate the process of spore liberation by wind from subsequent dispersal, observations were made directly on lesions of Helminthosporium maydis in the field. Winds of about 1.0 m/sec liberated 60 to 75% of the spores and most spores were liberated during periods of high wind variability. Leaf abrasion hastened spore liberation but had little effect on the total number of spores removed by noon. About 25% of the spores were not liberated.