Screening of Maize Inbred Lines Under Artificial Epiphytotic for Their Reaction to Grey Leaf Spot (<i>Cercospora zeae-maydis</i>)

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L) is one of the most widely cultivated crops and it is the basis for food security in many developing countries in Africa, and is an important food crop in Ethiopia. Despite of, its importance the crop it is affected by many biotic stresses such as pest and diseases attack. Grey leaf spot, caused by Cercospora Zeae maydis is the most important foliar disease of maize. The disease is characterized by relatively rapid leaf necrosis and premature death of foliage which eventually reduces grain yield. Development of host resistance to this disease can provide an important component of integrated disease management; which is the most effective and practical method of managing maize disease. The study was conducted to evaluate the reaction of maize inbred lines to GLS in the main cropping season during 2020. The inbred lines were obtained from Bako National Maize Research Center, breeding program, and it was arranged using alpha-lattice design with two replications. The inbred lines were evaluated in GLS screening field under artificial inoculation at Bako West Shewa, Ethiopia. Plot based Disease severity scores (1-5 scale) was used to assess at ten days intervals from disease onset to maturity. All the inbred lines showed disease symptom during the season, but the intensity of the diseases differed significantly at (P<0.05) among the inbred lines. Out of 72 genotypes screened for GLS, 20 inbred lines viz. BKL002, BKLOO4, CML 165, MBRC5BCF108-2-3-1, TZMI746, TZMI719, TZMI733, CML547, CML543, CML536, CZLQ1, CZLQ2, CML511, ILO'00E-5-5-3-1-1, 30H83-7-1-3-1-1-1-1, TZMI750, TZMI763, 30H83-7-1-2-1-1-1-#-#, DE-38-Z-126-3-2-2-2-1-1-#, TZMI407-short-#-#-# were identified to be resistant whereas TZMI746 and CML536 inbred lines are suitable candidates for utilization in both grain yield and GLS resistance, thus recommended for inclusion in hybrid development programs.