COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO METHODS OF MAIZE LEAF INFECTION WITH EXSEROHILUM TURCICUM

Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), a disease caused by fungus Exserohilum turcicum becomes more important in Central Europe. Due to usually very low severity, however, breeding for the disease resistance is reliable only in terms of artificial infection. The objective of the study was to compare two methods of artificial infection: primary (direct) inoculation and secondary (indirect) infection. 28 inbred lines and 18 hybrids were evaluated in North Croatia for the disease resistance in two year trials at two and three locations, respectively. Significant differences for severity scores were found between genotypes, and generally no differences between the two methods of infection. Thus, the secondary artificial infection was effective under climatic conditions of North Croatia. Due to corresponding results of the two methods, breeders can choose a method which is more suitable for particular breeding programs.