Genetic control of anthracnose stalk rot resistance in tropical maize

Abstract

The genetic resistance to diseases in plants represents an important support pillar in modern agriculture. This study aimed to determine the genetic inheritance to anthracnose stalk rot resistance in tropical maize. Nine segregating families were obtained from contrasting inbred lines crosses. The parental lines and the filial generations (F1, F2, BC1 and BC2) were evaluated for antrachnose stalk rot resistance in an experiment in randomized blocks, with three replications. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design, with family effect in the plots and generation effect in the split-plots. The results showed a similar inheritance among the families, with predominance of additive genetic effects. The inbreed lines (LR 04-2, LR 03-2 and LR 23-1) were very effective in transmitting resistance genes to their descendants because they allowed sharp decreases in the lesions length in the stalks. It was also possible to notice an oligogenic inheritance involved in the anthracnose stalk rot resistance for the evaluated families. It may be inferred that genetic gains from artificial selection could be successful for developing maize inbred lines more resistant to anthracnose stalk rot.