The investigation of resistance of local maize (Zea mays L.) populations against northern corn leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum / Pass. / K. J. Leonard et E. G. Suggs)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic resistance against the northern corn leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum / Pass. / K. J. Leonard et E. G. Suggs) (NCLB) of some local and introduced maize (Zea mays L.) populations. The investigation included 119 populations from the gene bank of the Department of Agronomy - Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. Populations originated from different climatic areas of Slovenia and some from abroad. The investigation took place in 1999 in Ljubljana and was based on replicated field trials. The source for spreading the NCLB disease was one highly sensitive and artificially inoculated hybrid. The analysis of the resistance was based on systematic visual assessments (two assessments in each population). The assessments were analysed by nonparametric statistical analysis which indicated that there were significant differences among studied populations. Twenty-five studied populations (mostly local populations) were recommended for further investigation of resistance against NCLB aiming at the determination of some highly resistant genotypes which would be used as the genetic source for further breeding to create resistant homozygous inbred lines and hybrids.