Abstract

Common rust caused by fungus Puccinia sorghii is among one of the worldwide spread foliar corn diseases. The disease has persisted with varying degrees of susceptibility on higher altitudes in Kashmir valley. Disease reaction studies against common rust were carried out in two crosses involving indigenously identified cytosterile source viz.,15C (A) x I-318 (R) and I-401(A) x I-318(R) for all the six basic generations with P₁, P₂ and F₁ having 30 plants each and F₂ (300 plants), BC₁ (180 plants) and BC₂ (180 plants). Analysis of variance of arc sin transformed data in the present study revealed significant differences among all the generations of both the crosses suggesting presence of sufficient variability for prevalence of diseases. Common rust screening indicated the presence of resistant genes in both the crosses which further can be exploited in the production of successful commercial hybrids by using these cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) sources as parents to develop Puccinia sorghii resistant, cost effective and stable hybrids.

Key words: Maize, common rust, cytosterile source.