Screening of maize inbred lines under artificial epiphytotic conditions for Turcicum leaf blight (Excerohilum turcicum)

A study on reaction of ten inbred lines of maize to northern leaf blight mainly caused by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass) Leonard and Suggs, was conducted under artificial epiphytotics conditions in green house. Among 10 inbred lines evaluated, three were found moderately resistant viz, NAI-113, NAI-152 and NAI-137, five lines moderately susceptible viz, NAI-123, NAI-142, NAI-143, NAI-147 and NAI-116, and the rest two, W3 and W5 inbreds were severely affected by TLB and rated as susceptible. The lines identified to possess low disease severity score against Turcicum leaf blight in the present study could be used successfully in developing genotypes having desirable level of resistance in disease endemic areas to aim for sustainable productivity.