Evaluation and identification of resistant lines and hybrids to fusarium ear rot disease of maize

 Fusarium ear rot disease of maize  caused by Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most important maize diseases that cause grain contamination with fumonisin mycotoxin, which is harmful for  humans and animals. In order to determine the general and specific combining ability of 10 inbred lines of maize in response of fusarium ear rot disease, a 10×10 Diallel Cross design was used in 2014 and 90 combinations resulted from a two-way crosses of 10 interested inbred lines were evaluated  at Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and EducationCenter, Agricultural Research Station of Araghi-Mohaleh in 2015. Trait of the severity of the disease was assessed on a scale of 1-6. Diallel analysis results based on method one and the mixed model B Griffing showed that additive and non-additive effects are effective in controlling of this trait,but the role of dominance is more pronounced.From the investigated lines two C5 and C53 inbred lines showed the highest significant negative combining ability in response to the disease. The highest heterosis amount was observed in two crossings of C7 × B73 and C7 × C5.