Inheritance of resistance to <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> ear rot in maize inbred lines of southern, West and Central Africa origin

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop in sub-Sahara Africa for both human consumption and livestock feed. use often limited by ear-rotting fungi, some of which produce deleterious secondary metabolites. The aim this study was to determine the inheritance resistance Fusarium verticillioides as indirect way selecting metabolites such mycotoxin fumonisin that produced fungus, under artificial inoculation natural infection. Twelve inbred lines from Seed Co were used females, mated 12 tester International Institute Tropical Agriculture (IITA) males, using North Carolina Design II. resulting 144 F1 hybrids six check evaluated Zimbabwe. Artificial with F. done at Rattray Arnold Research Station first season. general (GCA) specific combining ability (SCA) effects incidence variable across sites testers. Six southern African had desirable GCA ear rot can be sources. Outstanding testers IITA negative fumonisins identified. Both additive nonadditive implicated caused potential identified regional breeding programs.