Identification of Stable Resistant Genotypes against Charcoal Rot of Maize (Zea mays L.) incited by Macroph¬omina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid

Author: Mallaiah B., Bhadru D., Nagesh Kumar M.V.,Vani Sree K., Srilatha D., Siva Lakshimi Y., Lavakumar Reddy M., Sunil Neelam and J.C. Sekar

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Abstract

Charcoal rot of Maize caused by Macrophomina phaseolina is a major biotic stress responsible for increased yield losses in arid and semi-arid regions especially in areas with moisture stress coincides at flowering stage of the crop. The stalk rot infected plants can be recognized by grayish streaks on stem and numerous black microsclerotia visible on cut opened, shredded vascular bundles with charred appearance. The best way to manage the disease is through identification of charcoal rot resistant sources. Maize Research Centre (MRC), Hyderabad is a nationally identified centre for charcoal rot screening by Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), Ludhiana, India. In the process of maize hybrid development with post flowering stalk rot resistance at MRC, a total of 36 elite inbreds along with resistant and susceptible checks were screened under field conditions continuously by following tooth pic-method of disease screening during Kharif 2020, 2021, Rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22 and identified six inbreds namely BML-100, BML-101, BML-102, BML-103, BML-106, and BML-108 are identified as lines with stable resistance to charcoal rot of maize with disease score less than 3 on 1-9 scale during all the seasons tested. The lines may be used as resistance sources in breeding for development of new maize genotypes with charcoal rot disease resistance.

Keywords

Charcoal rot, Inbreds, Genotypes, Macrophomina phaseolina, Maize

Conclusion

Throughout the seasons, maize inbredsBML-100, BML-101, BML-102, BML-103, BML-106, and BML-108 has sown highly resistant reaction with disease score of less than 3.0 on 1.0 to 9.0 scale. These inbreds are highly useful for utilization in breeding programmes to resistant reaction against charcoal rot of maize with better yields and tropical and subtropical parts of India with semiarid climatic nature and monsoon with intermittent dry spells.

References

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How to cite this article

Mallaiah B., Bhadru D., Nagesh Kumar M.V.,Vani Sree K., Srilatha D., Siva Lakshimi Y., Lavakumar Reddy M., Sunil Neelam and J.C. Sekar (2023). Identification of Stable Resistant Genotypes against Charcoal Rot of Maize (Zea mays L.) incited by Macroph-omina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(6): 122-125.