Genetic Testing of Inbred Lines and Single Cross Hybrids against Fusarium Stalk Rot Caused by Fusarium moniliforme in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Globally, Maize (Zea mays L.) is a third major cereal food crop. It is a multipurpose crop with 26% of its production is used as food by human beings. Maize is known as “queen of cereals”, because of its high genetic yield potential, efficient utilization of radiant energy and wider adaptability. About 65 different phytopathogens affect the maize production in different stages of life cycle. Among which Fusarium moniliforme is one such soil borne pathogen causes Fusarium stalk rot (FSR) disease that ultimately reduces maize yield potential over the world. In any breeding program, screening and genetic testing of available germplasm resources against pathogens is necessary to prevent yield losses. Hence, the present research screened around 114 maize inbred lines and 45 single cross hybrids (SCHs) against FSR under artificial epiphytotic conditions. Among 114 inbreds, only four inbreds viz., CM 202, 10878, MAI-759 and MAI-766 (mean disease score of 3-4) showed moderately resistant reaction and out of 45 SCHs, only one hybrid combination i.e., MAI329 × CM202 (mean disease score was 2.60) exhibited resistance reaction against Fusarium stalk rot. Nevertheless, these resistance sources could be utilized in maize breeding programs for obtaining high yielding cultivars with resistance towards FSR disease.