Abstract

Rhizoctonia solani causal agent of banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB), is widely distributed in the South China and Southeast Asian in maize causing severe yield losses. In this study, we identified the disease resistance of 282 maize inbred lines to BLSB. The results showed that no immune and highly resistant germplasm was found and four moderately resistant inbred lines were identified. These four moderately resistant inbreds had good performance in grain yield, combining ability and a suitable growth period; they could be good donor of disease resistance gene to improve the other maize lines. The environments, R. solaniisolate and the evaluation method were main factors that affect the evaluate results. In order to evaluate the disease resistance of maize lines to BLSB, environments beneficial to the disease, R. solani isolate have stronger pathogenic force, artificial infection and proper disease nurseries were necessary. The analysis on the disease resistant inbred lines from different heterosis groups showed that lack of resistance germplasm in SS array was more serious and it was more effective to seek resistance germplasm from the NSS array, especially from the PB and tropical maize germplasm.

Key words: Maize, inbred lines, resistance, banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB).