Plant Disease Research

Five different stages (55, 65, 75, 85 and 95 days old plants) of three maize hybrids viz. PMh 10, DKC 9108 and PMh 2 were evaluated for determination of most vulnerable growth stage against charcoal rot during spring season. the data revealed that 75 days old maize plants were more vulnerable to charcoal rot. at this particular stage, mean disease severity (60.83%) was maximum, resulting in minimum mean grain yield (55.27 q/ha). This stage also coincides with tasseling and silking stage of the plant. Further, fifty four promising inbreds were evaluated by artificially inoculating the plants at most vulnerable stage against charcoal rot, out of which five germplasm lines (PML-81, LTY 9808, JCY 13-1-1, SNL 172470 and SNL 172475) were found resistant and two of them were found highly susceptible. the germplasm lines found resistant could be successfully utilized in future breeding programme for maize improvement.