Leaf Blight Of Maize Research Articles

QNCLB7.02, a novel QTL for resistance to northern corn leaf blight in maize

Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), which is caused by the hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Setosphaeria turcica, is a devastating foliar disease that results in considerable maize yield losses. In the present study, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was conducted across two environments using an ultra-high-density bin map constructed using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between Ye478 and Qi319. A total of 11 QTLs, located on chromosomes 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, were detected that confer resistance to physiological race 0 of NCLB. Each QTL could explain 3.53–15.29% of the total phenotypic variation in disease resistance after artificial inoculation in two environments. Among these QTL, qNCLB7.02, which is located on chromosome 7, had the largest effect, accounting for 10.11 and 15.29% of the phenotypic variation in resistance in two field trials and BLUP. The common confidence interval (CI) for qNCLB7.02 was 1.4 Mb, according to the B73 RefGen_v3 sequence. The resistance effect of qNCLB7.02 was validated in 2016 by using chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from Qi319 as the donor in the genetic background of Ye478. The type 6 CSSL, which harbors introgressed qNCLB7.02, was found to be significantly associated with resistance to NCLB by linked marker bnlg1808 and exhibited greater resistance than the other CSSLs that did not carry this QTL (P = 0.0008). The combination of linkage mapping in RILs and validation in CSSLs is a powerful approach for the dissection of QTL for disease resistance in maize.

Efficiency of plant extracts and Trichoderma sp. against Turcicum leaf blight of Maize caused by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonord and Suggs

Mancozeb @ 0.25% was effective in the inhibition of mycelial growth (85.2%) of Exserohilum turcicum. Among the bio-agents, Trichoderma harzianum was found effective in the inhibition of mycelial growth (64.1%) followed by T. viride with inhibition (58.7%). NSKE @ 5% was found effective in the inhibition of mycelial growth (54.4%) followed by aloe-vera @ 10% (40.0%) and lantana leaf extract @ 10% (17.7%). The plant extracts, potential biocontrol agent and fungicide found effective in vitro were tested against the turcicum leaf blight of maize under field conditions. Among, all the treatments, mancozeb @ 0.25% was found effective in the disease reduction (36.1%), followed by T. harzianum @ 2% (32.3%), T. viride @ 2% (29.2%). Plant extracts, NSKE @ 5% was found effective in disease reduction (23.5%) followed by aloe-vera @ 10% with (22.7%) and lantana leaf extract @ 10% (11.8%).

Turcicum leaf blight—sustainable management of a re-emerging maize disease

Turcicum leaf blight of maize caused by the fungus Setosphaeria turcica is a serious foliar disease of maize distributed widely throughout the world and causing significant yield losses. The disease is more prevalent in humid weather with temperature between 20–28 °C and causes small cigar-shaped lesions to complete destruction of the foliage. Though there are several management practices available, identification and deployment of host plant resistance is a pragmatic approach to control the disease. However, qualitative resistance is unstable and breaks down easily by emergence of new races of the pathogen in maize necessitating the development of durable TLB resistant cultivars. Application of modern molecular tools and availability of high-density molecular marker data are expected to accelerate efforts to develop resistant hybrids. This review provides a focuses on current status, and future research needs especially biological control and sustainable integrated management strategies of TLB.

Pathogenic variability in Exserohilum turcicum and identification of resistant sources to turcicum leaf blight of maize (Zea mays L.)

Turcicum leaf blight of maize incited by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard and Suggs is the major limiting factor of maize production in temperate agro-ecologies. Disease management through host plant resistance is the most effective strategy. In the present study among 26 maize genotypes which were initially screened for resistance against E. turcicum under field conditions, 8 genotypes viz., PS 39, CML 451, CML 470, CML 472, VL 1030, VL 1018140, VL1018527 and SMI178-1 were found resistant when screened against twelve isolates of E. turcicum under artificial epiphytotic conditions. Eight genotypes viz., PS45, CML165, CML459, VL1249, VL0536, SMC-5, SMC-3 and KDL 211 were found moderately resistant with disease grade ranged from 2.1-2.5. These maize genotypes possess resistance to turcicum leaf blight can be used successfully in developing high yielding early maturing varieties for high altitude temperate agro-ecologies. The fungus E. turcicum is highly variable in nature. Variability studies on pathogenicity were conducted on twelve isolates of E. turcicum on eleven putative differential maize lines. During the present study a wide pathogenic variation was observed among the twelve isolates of E. turcicum. Cluster analysis on the basis of similarity or dissimilarity in reaction types exhibited by the differential hosts, clustered the isolates into 6 pathogenic groups. The isolates belonged to higher altitudes (Kti 10, Kti11, Kti5) were found to be more aggressive as compared to the isolates of low altitude areas.

Infection of Maize by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis Does Not Require Severe Wounding.

Goss's bacterial wilt and leaf blight of maize is caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis. Infested residue is the primary source of inoculum and infection occurs via wounds caused by sand blasting, hail, or wind damage. The pathogen survives as an epiphyte on maize leaves and, because the disease has been observed on plants in the field with no obvious wounding, we wondered whether infection by epiphytic C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis and disease development could occur in the absence of severe wounding. Consequently, greenhouse experiments were done to evaluate disease development in the absence of wounding in ambient and increased humidity conditions. Maize plants at the V4 to V5 crop development stage were spray inoculated with a suspension of C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis (108 cells ml-1). Leaf blight incidence was assessed on whole plants and individual leaves; epiphytic populations of C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis were monitored by dilution plating of leaf washes; and epiphytic C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis colonization was visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Goss's leaf blight symptoms were observed on nonwounded plants in ambient (37.0% plant incidence) and increased humidity conditions (60.0% plant incidence). Populations of epiphytic C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis survived and increased on maize leaves, particularly at increased humidity. We observed C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis colonizing maize leaves in localized sites that included epidermal junctions, cuticle depressions, in and around stomata, and at the base of trichomes. Single cells and aggregates of C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis were observed within substomatal chambers using SEM. These data indicate that severe wounding is not necessary for C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis infection of maize, and stomata or trichomes may serve as entry points for the bacterium.

Characterization and Comparison of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis Strains Recovered from Epiphytic and Symptomatic Infections of Maize in Iowa.

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis (Cmn), the causal organism of Goss’s wilt and leaf blight of maize, can be detected in the phyllosphere of its host prior to disease development. We compared the morphology and pathogenicity of 37 putative isolates of Cmn recovered from asymptomatic and symptomatic maize leaves. Thirty-three of the isolates produced mucoid orange colonies, irrespective of the source of isolation and all but four of these isolates were pathogenic on maize. The remaining 4 isolates recovered from asymptomatic leaves had large fluidal yellow colonies, and were non-pathogenic on maize. Isolates varied in their aggressiveness on a susceptible hybrid of maize but no significant differences in aggressiveness were detected between epiphytic isolates and those recovered from diseased maize tissues. The genomics of Cmn is poorly understood; therefore as a first step to determining what genes may play a role in virulence, we compared 33 putative virulence gene sequences from 6 pathogenic and a non-pathogenic isolate recovered from the phyllosphere. Sequence polymorphisms were detected in 5 genes, cellulase A, two endoglucanases, xylanase B and a pectate lyase but there was no relationship with pathogenicity. Further research is needed to determine what genes play a role in virulence of Cmn. Our data show however, that the virulence factors in Cmn likely differ from those reported for the closely related subspecies michiganensis and sepedonicus.

Genome-wide association mapping reveals novel sources of resistance to northern corn leaf blight in maize.

BackgroundNorthern corn leaf blight (NCLB) caused by Exserohilum turcicum is a destructive disease in maize. Using host resistance to minimize the detrimental effects of NCLB on maize productivity is the most cost-effective and appealing disease management strategy. However, this requires the identification and use of stable resistance genes that are effective across different environments.ResultsWe evaluated a diverse maize population comprised of 999 inbred lines across different environments for resistance to NCLB. To identify genomic regions associated with NCLB resistance in maize, a genome-wide association analysis was conducted using 56,110 single-nucleotide polymorphism markers. Single-marker and haplotype-based associations, as well as Anderson-Darling tests, identified alleles significantly associated with NCLB resistance. The single-marker and haplotype-based association mappings identified twelve and ten loci (genes), respectively, that were significantly associated with resistance to NCLB. Additionally, by dividing the population into three subgroups and performing Anderson-Darling tests, eighty one genes were detected, and twelve of them were related to plant defense. Identical defense genes were identified using the three analyses.ConclusionAn association panel including 999 diverse lines was evaluated for resistance to NCLB in multiple environments, and a large number of resistant lines were identified and can be used as reliable resistance resource in maize breeding program. Genome-wide association study reveals that NCLB resistance is a complex trait which is under the control of many minor genes with relatively low effects. Pyramiding these genes in the same background is likely to result in stable resistance to NCLB.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-015-0589-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Efficient Gene Knockout in the Maize Pathogen Setosphaeria turcica Using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation

Setosphaeria turcica, a hemibiotrophic pathogenic dothideomycete, is the causal agent of Northern Leaf Blight of maize, which periodically causes significant yield losses worldwide. To explore molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity and virulence to the host, an efficient targeted gene knockout transformation system using Agrobacterium tumefaciens was established with field collected strains. The starting materials, incubation time, induction medium type, Agrobacterium cell density, and method of co-incubation were optimized for deletion of 1,3,8-trihydroxynaphthalene reductase, a gene in the melanin biosynthesis pathway, as a test case. Four additional genes were deleted in two different S. turcica field isolates to confirm robustness of the method. One of these mutant strains was reduced in virulence compared with the wild-type strain when inoculated on susceptible maize. Transformation efficiency was ≈20 ± 3 transformants per 1× 10(6) germlings and homologous recombination efficiency was 33.3 to 100%.

IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIAL WILT AND LEAF BLIGHT DISEASE ON MAIZE (Zea mays) FOUND IN KEDIRI, INDONESIA

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Recently, a new bacterial disease of maize ( Zea mays ) was observed in Kediri, East Java, Indonesia. Infected plants showed wilt symptoms occasionally accompanied by leaf blight . This study aims to characterize the causal agent of bacterial wilt and leaf blight of maize observed in Kediri. Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacteria were isolated from the diseased tissues. All bacterial strains (KD1A, KB2A, KD1, KD4, KB1) gave positive result both in the hypersensitive response and pathogen-nicity assays. However, only KD1 and KB1 strains could be re-isolated from the diseased tissues. Based on several physiological and biochemical assays, the bacteria resembled Pantoea agglomerans. Moreover, the strains showed negative result on PCR amplification using HRP1d and HRP3r , a primer pair specific for detection of P. stewartii subsp. stewartii . Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence of KD1 and KB1 showed highest homology at 88% and 90%, respectively to P. agglomerans strain DSM 3493 (NR 0419781). The homology values were too low to conclude that the bacteria were similar to P. agglomerans. These results suggest that bacterial pathogens isolated from maize in Kediri were strains of Pantoea sp . Keywords : maize, Pantoea sp., wilt, leaf blight

Promotion of plant growth, biological control and induced systemic resistance in maize by Pseudomonas aurantiaca JD37

Some Pseudomonas aurantiaca strains have been found to facilitate plant growth. A P. aurantiaca JD37 strain isolated from a suburb of Shanghai, China, was found to effectively colonize the rhizosphere soil and internal roots of maize (Zea mays L.) and promote maize growth. Agar diffusion assays and biocontrol effect experiments showed that strain JD37 had significant antagonistic activity against Bipolaris maydis, as well as a high biocontrol effect on southern maize leaf blight caused by B. maydis. PCR detection, associated with reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography assays, showed that strain JD37 might produce a number of important antibacterial substances, such as phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, pyrrolnitrin and 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol. The crude bacterial extracts and the cell-free supernatant of strain JD37 were found to induce resistance in maize against B. maydis and reduce plant disease. Our results indicate the potential of some bacteria for producing bacterial compounds that serve as inducers of disease resistance, which is an attractive alternative to the application of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and supplement in agricultural practices.

The bacterium Pantoea stewartii uses two different type III secretion systems to colonize its plant host and insect vector.

Plant- and animal-pathogenic bacteria utilize phylogenetically distinct type III secretion systems (T3SS) that produce needle-like injectisomes or pili for the delivery of effector proteins into host cells. Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii (herein referred to as P. stewartii), the causative agent of Stewart's bacterial wilt and leaf blight of maize, carries phylogenetically distinct T3SSs. In addition to an Hrc-Hrp T3SS, known to be essential for maize pathogenesis, P. stewartii has a second T3SS (Pantoea secretion island 2 [PSI-2]) that is required for persistence in its flea beetle vector, Chaetocnema pulicaria (Melsh). PSI-2 belongs to the Inv-Mxi-Spa T3SS family, typically found in animal pathogens. Mutagenesis of the PSI-2 psaN gene, which encodes an ATPase essential for secretion of T3SS effectors by the injectisome, greatly reduces both the persistence of P. stewartii in flea beetle guts and the beetle's ability to transmit P. stewartii to maize. Ectopic expression of the psaN gene complements these phenotypes. In addition, the PSI-2 psaN gene is not required for P. stewartii pathogenesis of maize and is transcriptionally upregulated in insects compared to maize tissues. Thus, the Hrp and PSI-2 T3SSs play different roles in the life cycle of P. stewartii as it alternates between its insect vector and plant host.

Multiplex PCR assay for the detection of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii using species-specific genetic markers

We developed a multiplex PCR detection assay for quick diagnosis of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii the causal agent of Stewart’s bacterial wilt and leaf blight of maize, using specific genetic markers. The genetic markers of wtsE, cpsA and hrpN gene specifically amplified 519 bp, 375 bp and 200 bp of DNA, respectively, from all isolates of P. stewartii subsp. stewartii but not from other phytopathogenic bacteria. The sensitivity of the genetic markers is down to 103 CFU/mL (5 cells per reaction) of bacterial culture and ~0.5 pg of genomic DNA. In sampling studies, the assay detected P. stewartii subsp. stewartii from artificially infected maize plants 12 days post inoculation. The PCR based genetic markers are specific and they give selective and sensitive amplification of P. stewartii subsp. stewartii for diagnosis in mixed cultures and in planta.

Identification and Fine Mapping of rhm1 Locus for Resistance to Southern Corn Leaf Blight in MaizeF

rhm1 is a major recessive disease resistance locus for Southern corn leaf blight (SCLB). To further narrow down its genetic position, F(2) population and BC(1) F(1) population derived from the cross between resistant (H95(rhm) ) and susceptible parents (H95) of maize (Zea mays) were constructed. Using newly developed markers, rhm1 was initially delimited within an interval of 2.5 Mb, and then finally mapped to a 8.56 kb interval between InDel marker IDP961-503 and simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker A194149-1. Three polymorphic markers IDP961-504, IDP B2-3 and A194149-2 were shown to be co-segregated with the rhm1 locus. Sequence analysis of the 8.56 kb DNA fragment revealed that it contained only one putative gene with a predicted amino acid sequence identical to lysine histidine transporter 1 (LHT1). Comparative sequence analysis indicated that the LHT1 in H95(rhm) harbors a 354 bp insertion in its third exon as compared with that of susceptible alleles in B73, H95 and Mo17. The 354 bp insertion resulted in a truncation of the predicted protein of candidate resistance allele (LHT1-H95(rhm) ). Our results strongly suggest LHT1 as the candidate gene for rhm1 against SCLB. The tightly linked molecular markers developed in this study can be directly used for molecular breeding of resistance to Southern corn leaf blight in maize.

New Technologies, Tools and Approaches for Improving Crop Breeding

New Technologies, Tools and Approaches for Improving Crop Breeding

Use of Disease Assessment Methods in Predicting Yield Loss Due to Northern Leaf Blight of Maize

Different severities of northern leaf blight were induced by inoculating maize plants once at GS 4 and 5, three time at GS 4,5 and 6, allowing natural disease development, and by applying fungicides to deter disease development on cultivars with different levels of resistance to Exserohilum turcicum. Percentage leaf area affected by northern leaf blight on the whole plant, ear, first, and second leaf above the ear leaf were assessed weekly for a total of six times at GS 8,9.0,9.1,9.2,9.3, and 9.4. Data obtained from the ear leaf, first leaf above the ear leaf, and second leaf above the ear leaf were used to develop a one-three-two weighted scale to account for leaf position and time of infection for the three leaves assessed and were related to yield by regression analysis. The average disease severity estimated on the ear leaf was significantly (P ≤ 0.001) correlated with severities estimated using other disease assessment methods and loss in grain yield. Overall, AUDPC yield-loss models using percentage leaf area affected on the ear leaf gave the best relationship (Y= 5835-135 AUDPC, R2 = 0.42, P ≤ 0.001). Further analysis using leaves of various positions on the plant did not improve the yield-loss models. Critical point models, using percentage leaf area affected at GS 9.1 on A619xA632 also gave good fit (R2 = 0.53). Keywords: Exserohilum turcicum, maize, northern leaf blight, yield loss

Genome-wide nested association mapping of quantitative resistance to northern leaf blight in maize.

Quantitative resistance to plant pathogens, controlled by multiple loci of small effect, is important for food production, food security, and food safety but is poorly understood. To gain insights into the genetic architecture of quantitative resistance in maize, we evaluated a 5,000-inbred-line nested association mapping population for resistance to northern leaf blight, a maize disease of global economic importance. Twenty-nine quantitative trait loci were identified, and most had multiple alleles. The large variation in resistance phenotypes could be attributed to the accumulation of numerous loci of small additive effects. Genome-wide nested association mapping, using 1.6 million SNPs, identified multiple candidate genes related to plant defense, including receptor-like kinase genes similar to those involved in basal defense. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that quantitative disease resistance in plants is conditioned by a range of mechanisms and could have considerable mechanistic overlap with basal resistance.

Diaporthaceae associated with root and crown rot of maize

Several isolates of coelomycetous fungi with pigmented conidia were consistently isolated from diseased roots of Zea mays in irrigated plots monitored in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Based on their morphology, these isolates could be identified as representative of Stenocarpella macrospora, S. maydis, and Phaeocytostroma ambiguum. Although species of Stenocarpella are well-known as causal agents of cob and stalk rot and leaf blight of maize in South Africa, the occurrence and importance of P. ambiguum is less well documented and understood. To determine the role of P. ambiguum as a root pathogen of maize, pathogenicity tests were conducted under glasshouse conditions at 18 °C night and 28 °C day temperatures using a pasteurised soil, river sand and perlite medium and a 0.5 % sand-bran inoculum. Based on these results, P. ambiguum was shown to be a primary pathogen of maize, but to be less virulent than the positive control, S. maydis. Furthermore, to clarify the higher-level phylogeny of these fungal genera, isolates were subjected to DNA sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS & LSU). Partial gene sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene were added to confirm the species monophyly. To resolve the generic placement of Phaeocytostroma, additional species such as P. sacchari, P. plurivorum and P. megalosporum were also added to the analysis. Based on these results, Stenocarpella and Phaeocytostroma were shown to be two well defined genera, belonging to Diaporthales, Diaporthaceae, being closely allied to Phomopsis (Diaporthe). All three genera were also observed to form alpha as well as beta conidia, and although this phenomenon is well documented for Phomopsis and Phaeocytostroma, it is a new observation for Stenocarpella. In spite of the differences in conidial pigmentation, no support could be obtained for polyphyly in Diaporthaceae, suggesting that as observed in Botryosphaeriaceae (Botryosphaeriales), conidial pigmentation is not informative at the family level in Diaporthales.

Joint Analysis of Near‐Isogenic and Recombinant Inbred Line Populations Yields Precise Positional Estimates for Quantitative Trait Loci

Data generated for initial quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping using recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations are usually ignored during subsequent fine-mapping using near-isogenic lines (NILs). Combining both datasets would increase the number of recombination events sampled and generate better position and effect estimates. Previously, several QTL for resistance to southern leaf blight of maize were mapped in two RIL populations, each independently derived from a cross between the lines B73 and Mo17. In each case the largest QTL was in bin 3.04. Here, two NIL pairs differing for this QTL were derived and used to create two distinct F2:3 family populations that were assessed for southern leaf blight (SLB) resistance. By accounting for segregation of the other QTL in the original RIL data, we were able to combine these data with the new genotypic and phenotypic data from the F2:3 families. Joint analysis yielded a narrower QTL support interval compared to that derived from analysis of any one of the data sets alone, resulting in the localization of the QTL to a less than 0.5 cM interval. Candidate genes identified within this interval are discussed. This methodology allows combined QTL analysis in which data from RIL populations is combined with data derived from NIL populations segregating for the same pair of alleles. It improves mapping resolution over the conventional approach with virtually no additional resources. Because data sets of this type are commonly produced, this approach is likely to prove widely applicable.

Antifungal metabolites (monorden, monocillins I, II, III) from Colletotrichum graminicola, a systemic vascular pathogen of maize

Colletotrichum graminicola is a systemic vascular pathogen that causes anthracnose stalk rot and leaf blight of maize. In the course of an effort to explore the potential presence and roles of C. graminicola metabolites in maize, ethyl acetate extracts of solid substrate fermentations of several C. graminicola isolates from Michigan and Illinois were found to be active against Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides, both mycotoxin-producing seed-infecting fungal pathogens. Chemical investigations of the extract of one such isolate (NRRL 47511) led to the isolation of known metabolites monorden (also known as radicicol) and monocillins I–III as major components. Monorden and monocillin I displayed in vitro activity against the stalk- and ear-rot pathogen Stenocarpella maydis while only the most abundant metabolite (monorden) showed activity against foliar pathogens Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris zeicola, and Curvularia lunata. Using LC–HRESITOFMS, monorden was detected in steam-sterilized maize stalks and stalk residues inoculated with C. graminicola but not in the necrotic stalk tissues of wound-inoculated plants grown in an environmental chamber. Monorden and monocillin I can bind and inhibit plant Hsp90, a chaperone of R-proteins. It is hypothesized that monorden and monocillins could support the C. graminicola disease cycle by disrupting maize plant defenses and by excluding other fungi from necrotic tissues and crop residues. This is the first report of natural products from C. graminicola, as well as the production of monorden and monocillins by a pathogen of cereals.

RESISTÊNCIA DE HÍBRIDOS DE MILHO-PIPOCA A Exserohilum turcicum, AGENTE CAUSAL DA HELMINTOSPORIOSE DO MILHO

Para avaliar a resistência de híbridos experimentais e comerciais de milho-pipoca à Exserohilum turcicum, agente causal da helmintosporiose do milho, implementou-se um ensaio em delineamento de blocos completos com tratamentos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, em Maringá, Paraná, na safra 2007/2008. O objetivo adicional foi comparar a eficiência de discriminação da resistência utilizando apenas uma das avaliações ou uma série de avaliações. Incidência e a severidade, avaliadas em quatro avaliações, foram usadas para estimar a área abaixo da curva de progresso da incidência (AACPI) e da severidade (AACPS). Os dados de incidência e severidade na última avaliação, mais a AACPI e AACPS foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste de Scott-Knott para comparar a resistência dos genótipos. A análise de correlações de postos de Spearman foi utilizada para verificar qual o grau de associação entre os dados de severidade, de incidência, AACPS e AACPI. Foram constatadas diferenças significativas (P≤0,001) de resistência entre os genótipos avaliados, permitindo a formação de três agrupamentos de resistência. Os híbridos UEM129, UEM145, UEM140, UEM116 e UEM101 apresentaram menores índices de intensidade da doença, e foram considerados os genótipos mais resistentes. Estes híbridos superaram os híbridos UEM109, UEM153 e IAC 112, classificados como resistentes, e Zélia e Jade, considerados susceptíveis. Pelas correlações constatou-se que a avaliação de incidência e severidade no estádio de grão pastoso não proporcionou dados equivalentes à AACPS e AACPI para a discriminação da resistência à E. turcicum.