Etiology, management, and host response of cold-tolerant maize germplasm for common rust disease of maize under temperate conditions

Common rust is one of the most destructive diseases of maize, causing significant losses to maize production under temperate agro-climatic conditions. The incidence, magnitude, and disease development of common rust were assessed to devise a suitable disease management program, and the resistant sources for common rust disease in maize were identified among the temperate cold-tolerant maize germplasm to develop the common rust-resistant maize varieties. Cold-tolerant maize genotypes, including indigenous and exotic inbred lines at advanced stages of maintenance, were evaluated for resistance against Puccinia sorghi, and the resistant sources thus identified were profitably utilized in the breeding program. Different agrochemicals were evaluated for the management of maize rust under field conditions. Fungicidal treatments restrained disease incidence and intensity significantly, among which Trifloxistrobin + Tebuconazole and Propiconazole proved the best fungicides for the control of common rust disease of maize.