Inheritance of Tolerance of Maize Inbreds to Exserohilum turcicum in North Korea

Exserohilum turcicum is considered serious destructive disease of maize (Zea mays L.) in North Korea. This study aimed to understand genetic inheritance and combining ability of newly bred lines of maize tolerant to E. turcicum by diallel crosses. Three diallel sets for two different ecological regions and one agronomic trait; eastern (E), northern (N) and stay green (SG) involving 29 inbred lines were tested in eight locations of 2000 and 2001. E. turcicum infections were under natural conditions, respectively. Lines used were selected for high yield potential in test crosses with good agronomic traits and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Selection for race specific high resistance to biotic stresses was avoided to select quantitatively inherited genes. Host plant responses to E. turcicum were rated on a scale of 1 (highly tolerant) to 9 (highly susceptible). Highly significant variations were recorded in all trials. General combining ability (GCA) mean square was roughly twice that of specific combining ability (SCA). The genotype (G) by environment (E) interaction was highly significant. The overall results of genetic studies in three diallel sets show that genetic control for inbred tolerance to E. turcicum is polygenic and quantitatively inherited. New inbreds; E-3, N-1 and SG-4 confer better tolerance to E. turcicum than the widely used inbreds; Mo17, and B73. Proper use of genetic information from this study shall increase of corn production under high E. turcicum infection in the Far Eastern Regions of Korea and China.