The investigation of resistance of domestic maize (zea mays l.) inbreds against northern corn leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum / Pass. / K. J. Leonard et E. G. Suggs)

Abstract

Field study was conducted in 1999 to characterize the level of resistance of some maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines against the northern corn leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum / Pass./ K. J. Leonard et E. G. Suggs) (NCLB). The investigation included 98 inbreds of the maize gene bank of the Department of Agronomy – Biotehnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. At the experimental field of BF in Ljubljana, 20 plants for each of the 98 genotypes were artificially infected with fungi causing NCLB. One highly sensitive and artificially inoculated hybrid was used as a source for spreading the NCLB disease. Disease severity was assessed in the season using a 0-5 visual rating scale (two assessments in each inbred). The assessements were analysed by nonparametric statistical analysis which indicated that there were significant differences among studied inbreds. Fifteen lines, mostly with local origin, were found as highly resistant against the NCLB. Among these 15 lines, 3 local resistant lines shown even higher tolerance than highly resistant check L-108St. These promising and highly resistant genotypes can be used as the genetic source for further breeding of tolerant cultivars.