Precise Identification and Analysis of Maize Germplasm Resistance to Ear Rot Caused by Six Fusarium Species

Maize (<i>Zea may</i> L.) is one of the most important crops worldwide, but ear rot poses a significant threat to its production. Diverse pathogens cause ear rot in China, with <i>Fusarium</i> spp. being predominant, especially <i>Fusarium graminearum</i> and <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i>. Current methods for the control of ear rot are limited, making the use of resistant germplasm resources an effective and economical management strategy. Earlier research focused on resistance to Fusarium ear rot (FER; caused by <i>F. verticillioides</i>) and Gibberella ear rot (GER; caused by <i>F. graminearum</i>), but assessing maize resistance to multiple major <i>Fusarium</i> spp. is critical in ensuring maize production. Thus, the resistance of 343 maize germplasm resources to ear rot caused by six <i>Fusarium</i> spp. (<i>F. verticillioides</i>, <i>F. graminearum</i>, <i>F. proliferatum</i>, <i>F. meridionale</i>, <i>F. subglutinans</i>, and <i>F. temperatum</i>) was evaluated in this study. Over three years, 69 and 77 lines resistant to six and five ear rot diseases, respectively, and 139 lines resistant to both FER and GER were identified. Moreover, the 343 germplasm resources were divided into eight heterotic groups, of which PH4CV was the most resistant one, whereas NSS and Pioneer Female were the least resistant ones. These findings provide a basis for the development of maize cultivars with broad-spectrum ear rot resistance.