Host plant resistance is eco-friendly, economic and durable source of resistance for a crop disease management. Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight (BLSB) caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani f. sp sasakii is serious disease of maize distributed round the world in maize growing areas. The current predominant form of pathogen, which can cause yield losses of up to 43% or more. Screening of germplasm through artificial inoculation is one important way to get the potent sources of resistance against any disease and score of disease gave an idea of source of resistance. Total of 131 entries were selected from different groups i.e. early maturity, medium maturity set-1, maturity set-2 , late maturity, sweet corn, baby corn, and QPM. Screening was done by artificial inoculation under field conditions in kharif 2020 and 2021. Out of 102 entries 34 maize entries were found to be resistant to the disease, 36 entries were moderately resistant, 22 entries were moderately susceptible, 8 entries were determined to susceptible and 1 entries was highly susceptible and also 1 entries highly resistant.

Maize, management, Pathogen, Rhizoctonia, Resistance.

Eco-friendly management of BLSB control is great aspect in lowering the utilization of pesticides for managing the plant disease. Stable source of resistance can be identified by screening of the germplasm lines or screening of germplasm by artificial inoculation and score of disease give an idea of source of resistance.

Poonam Yadav, S.S. Sharma Poonam Kumari and Amit Kumar (2022). Host Plant Resistance for Effective Management of Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight in Maize caused by Rhizoctonia solani f. sp sasakii. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(2): 555-559.