Field screening of early maturity genotypes of maize in North Eastern region of India

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a vital cereal crop in India, ranking third after rice and wheat in terms of area and production. In Telangana, the crop exhibits remarkable productivity, but its cultivation is increasingly threatened by foliar diseases, particularly Turcicum Leaf Blight (TLB), caused by Exserohilum turcicum. The disease significantly affects photosynthesis and grain filling, leading to yield losses ranging from 28% to 91%. To identify resistant sources for breeding programs, 32 early-maturing maize genotypes—including eight standard checks and 24 test entries—were evaluated for their response to TLB. Among the test genotypes, one (AH-3254) was moderately susceptible, while 23 genotypes exhibited moderate resistance. The study highlights the availability of diverse genetic material with resistance to TLB, which can be effectively utilized in developing resistant hybrids suited to high-yield environments.