Sources possessing multiple field resistance to bacterial stalk rot, banded leaf and sheath blight and maydis leaf blight of maize

Abstract

India rank 4th and 7th in area and production, respectively among the maize producing countries. It was grown in an area of 9.2 million ha with production of 27.8 million MT and productivity of 2965 kg/ha. Kharif maize, representing nearly 82% of area, has low productivity (2.2 t/ha) and among various abiotic and biotic stresses, diseases viz. Bacterial stalk rot  caused by Dickeia zeae (BSR), banded leaf and sheath blight by Rhizoctonia solani f.sp . sasakii (BLSB) and maydis leaf blight  by Bipolaris maydis (MLB)  are the major biotic constraints in Kharif maize. Hybrids varieties being high yielding are becoming popular which require identification inbred lines with resistance to prevailing diseases leading to development of resistant hybrids for  their effective and eco-friendly management. In the present study 142 inbred lines were evaluated at CSKHPKV, HAREC Dhaulakuan to identify sources with multiple resistance. No line was completely free from all the diseases. Nine inbred lines i.e. PFSR (Y)-C1-B Ä-2-1-1- 1, North east 4-1 (N)-1, PFSR(Y)-C1-A-B1White heart S. G. Ä-1-2- 1-1 (Good), HEY Pool (Extra Early)Ä-1-1-1-1, PFSR (Y)-C1-B Ä-1-3, Indimyt-145 Ä-1-1, CML 446, HKI Talar and HKI-164-7-4-2 s were free from BSR and resistant to BLSB and MLB. Seventeen inbred lines were free from BSR and resistant to BLSB. Moreover fifteen inbred lines were free form BSR and resistant to MLB, followed by eleven lines showing resistance to MLB and BLSB. The inbred lines with combined resistance may be used to develop resistant hybrid varieties or composites. Doi.org/10.25174/2582-2675/2020/100855