Exserohilum turcicum (Northern Corn Leaf Blight) Severity on Maize Hybrids and the Associated Crop Performance in O.R. Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa

<i>Exserohilum turcicum</i> is a fungus that causes northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) and has deleterious effects on maize production globally. Therefore, it prudent to mitigate the of NCLB using genetic diversity. The objective this research was assess severity disease growth yield various genotypes. A randomized complete block design field experiment, replicated three times, conducted evaluate effect <i>E. 10 hybrids. Percent index, plant height, area were recorded at silk stage. Cob weight, grain fresh yields determined harvest maturity. All measured parameters significantly different (<i>P</i><0.05) between Of genotypes, four (PAN 4R-528R, PAN 4R-728BR, 3R-724BR, P1788BR) susceptible, five (DKC74-74BR, 5R-582R, 5R-890R, 5R-854R, 5R-590R) moderately one (DKC80-40BR) resistant. DKC80-40BR exhibited greater cob while DKC74-74BR superior in all other components. Interestingly, although not significant (<i>P</i>>0.05) high, had negative correlations with incidence, except for weight. may be selected cultivation areas prone reduce susceptibility disease, improve crop performance. These hybrids could considered as potential sources resistance or tolerance further validation by breeders.