Cytogenetic and pathological investigations in maize × teosinte hybrids: Chromosome behaviour, spore identification, and inheritance of maydis leaf blight resistance

Paper Details

Research Paper 12/08/2025
Views (384)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Cytogenetic and pathological investigations in maize × teosinte hybrids: Chromosome behaviour, spore identification, and inheritance of maydis leaf blight resistance

Krishan Pal, Ravi Kishan Soni, Devraj, Rohit Kumar Tiwari, Ram Avtar
J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(2), 70-76, August 2025.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2025; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.), a globally important cereal crop, is susceptible to numerous diseases, with Maydis Leaf Blight (MLB) caused by Bipolaris maydis posing a significant yield threat. This study investigated cytogenetic behavior, pathogen identification, and inheritance of MLB resistance in a maize × teosinte (Zea mays ssp. mexicana) crosses. The experiment was conducted in the subtropical Gangetic region under natural MLB incidence. F₂ populations (n=381) derived from an agronomically superior but susceptible maize parent and a resistant teosinte parent were evaluated. Cytological analysis of F₁ pollen at metaphase I revealed irregular pairing, with 9II+2I or 8II+4I configurations, indicating partial chromosomal homology between parents. Pathogen isolation from symptomatic F₂ leaves on potato dextrose agar confirmed B. maydis through colony morphology and characteristic olivaceous brown, spindle-shaped, multi-septate conidia. Disease scoring (0 to 5 scale) showed 58.53% resistant (score 1), 33.07% moderately resistant (score 2), and minimal susceptibility. Chi-square analysis of resistance vs. susceptibility (score ≥2) fit a 9:7 ratio (p<0.05), suggesting two-gene complementary epistasis controls MLB resistance. Descriptive statistics indicated low disease incidence (8.39%) and severity (9.41%) in the population. The results confirm teosinte as a valuable genetic resource for MLB resistance breeding in maize. Future studies under artificial epiphytotic conditions are recommended to validate findings and improve selection efficiency.

Balint-Kurti PJ, Zwonitzer JC, Pe ME, Pea G, Lee M, Cardinal AJ. 2008. Identification of quantitative trait loci for resistance to southern leaf blight and days to anthesis in two maize recombinant inbred line populations. Phytopathology 98(3), 315–320.

Burnette DC, White DG. 1985. Inheritance of resistance to Bipolaris maydis race O. Phytopathology 75, 1195–1200.

Chandrashekara C, Jha SK, Arunkumar R, Agrawal PK. 2014. Identification of new sources of resistance to turcicum leaf blight and maydis leaf blight in maize (Zea mays L.). SABRAO Journal of Breeding and Genetics 46 (1) 44-55.

Chang RY, Peterson PA. 1995. Genetic control of resistance to Bipolaris maydis: One gene or two genes. Journal of Heredity 86(2), 94–97.

Karimishahri MR, Sharma RC. 2017. Inheritance of resistance to maydis leaf blight in maize. Agriculture & Forestry Poljoprivreda Sumarstvo 63(1).

Kumar B, Hooda KS, Gogoi R, Kumar V, Kumar S, Abhishek A, Bhati P, Sekhar JC, Yathish KR, Singh V, Das A. 2016. Inheritance study and stable sources of maydis leaf blight (Cochliobolus heterostrophus) resistance in tropical maize germplasm. Cereal Research Communications 44(3), 424–434.

Longley AE. 1934. Chromosomes in hybrids between Euchlaena perennis and Zea mays. Journal of Agricultural Research 48, 789–806.

Mubeen S, Rafique M, Munis MFH, Chaudhary HJ. 2017. Study of southern corn leaf blight (SCLB) on maize genotypes and its effect on yield. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences 16(3), 210–217.

Nwanosike MRO, Mabagala RB, Kusolwa PM. 2015. Disease intensity and distribution of Exserohilum turcicum incitant of northern leaf blight of maize (Zea mays L.) in Tanzania. International Journal of Pure and Applied Bioscience 3(5), 1–13.

Payak MM, Sharma RC. 1983. Disease rating scales in maize in India. Techniques of scoring for resistance to important diseases of maize, 1–4.

Sharma RC, Payak MM. 1990. Durable resistance to two leaf blights in two maize inbred lines. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 80(4), 542–544.

Shaver DL. 1962. Cytogenetic studies of allotetraploid hybrids of maize and perennial teosinte. American Journal of Botany 49(4), 348–354.

Sun X, Qi X, Wang W, Liu X, Zhao H, Wu C, Chang X, Zhang M, Chen H, Gong G. 2020. Etiology and symptoms of maize leaf spot caused by Bipolaris spp. in Sichuan, China. Pathogens 9(3), 229.

Thompson DL, Bergquist RR. 1984. Inheritance of mature plant resistance to Helminthosporium maydis race O in maize 1. Crop Science 24(4), 807–811.

Zaitlin D, DeMars S, Ma Y. 1993. Linkage of rhm, a recessive gene for resistance to southern corn leaf blight, to RFLP marker loci in maize (Zea mays) seedlings. Genome 36(3), 555–564.

Related Articles

Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of ethanolic leaves extract of Psidium guajava

G. Saranya, K. Durgadevi, V. Ramamurthy, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(3), 57-63, September 2025.

Physicochemical and phytochemical analysis of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract

J. Ramalakshmi, P. Vinodhiniand, V. Ramamurthy, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(3), 50-56, September 2025.

The effects of climate change on built structures in Benin-city, Edo state, Nigeria

A. E. Ilenre, Y. H. Tashok, E. N. Uhumuavbi, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(3), 39-49, September 2025.

A review of the ecological impacts of water pollution on lakes: From diatom assemblages to migratory bird population declines

Arunpandiyan Murugesan, Roshy Ann Mathews, S. Rajakumar, Prashanthi Devi Marimuthu, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(3), 23-38, September 2025.

Agroforestry in woody-encroached Sub-Saharan savannas: Transforming ecological challenges into sustainable opportunities

Yao Anicet Gervais Kouamé, Pabo Quévin Oula, Kouamé Fulgence Koffi, Ollo Sib, Adama Bakayoko, Karidia Traoré, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(3), 10-22, September 2025.

Extreme rainfall variability and trends in the district of Ouedeme, municipality of Glazoue (Benin)

Koumassi Dègla Hervé, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(3), 1-9, September 2025.

Heterosis breeding, general and specific combining ability and stability studies in pearl millet: Current trends

Ram Avtar, Krishan Pal, Kavita Rani, Rohit Kumar Tiwari, Mahendra Kumar Yadav, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(2), 117-124, August 2025.

Combining ability, heterosis and stability for yield and fibre quality traits in cotton: Breeding approaches and future prospects

Rohit Kumar Tiwari, Krishan Pal, R. P. Saharan, Ram Avtar, Mahendra Kumar Yadav, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 27(2), 109-116, August 2025.