Response of rabi maize against common rust incited by Puccinia sorghi

摘要

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops of the world and contributes to the food security in developing countries. It is grown in more than 150 countries but the major maize producing countries are USA, China, Brazil, Mexico, France andIndia. It is third most important cereal crop in India next to rice and wheat which occupies an area of 8.78 million hectares having production of 21.76 million tones with average productivity of 2.48 t/ha. In Haryana, the crop occupies an area of 11 thousand hectares having production of 30 thousand tones with average productivity of 2.73 t/ha (2). In India, it is being used as human food, poultry feed and a source of large number of industrial products. The crop is grown in kharif and rabi season inHaryana state and number of biotic factors are known to reduce the yield considerably. In rabi, common rust of maize incited by Puccinia sorghi Schw. is the most important foliar disease in maize growing areas of Haryana particularly in Shivalik foot hills. Common rust of maize was first reported in 1832 in the United States and now occurs in several continents and after that it was Iren, who observed maize rust in Cankiri in the central plateau of Turkey in 1952. This being the first record for the country and its alternate host was Oxalis corinicolata. The disease is known to cause avoidable yield losses in the range of 12 to 61 per cent (3). In recent years, common rust caused by Puccinia sorghi has been observed in several districts of the state. Since the disease has attained damaging status and is economically important, it was necessary to find out the sources of resistance against P. sorghi to work out effective disease management strategies which will lead to sustainable maize production./mexcel@red iffmail.com