Evaluation of Maize Germplasm for Resistance to Diseases and Pests in China

摘要

As one of the staple crops in China, maize is attacked by many diseases which cause annual yield losses estimated at 10%. The traditional epidemic diseases are turcicum leaf blight, maydis leaf blight, head smut and maize dwarf mosaic caused by sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). Recently stalk rot, gray leaf spot, banded leaf and sheath blight and southern corn rust have also caused heavy losses in some areas. Since the 1970's evaluation of maize germplasm, including inbreds, hybrids and local varieties, for resistance to these diseases has been conducted with support of government funding. A national network on identification of maize disease and pest resistant germplasm has been established and works under standard technical guidelines. Up to now, more than 50000 accessions of maize germplasm have been evaluated for disease and pest resistance with artificial inoculation. The program and its results are overviewed in this paper.