Banded leaf and sheath blight: an emerging disease of maize (Zea mays L)

Abstract

The basidiomycetes fungus Rhizoctonia solani is a major pathogen of maize worldwide, particularly in China, South Asian and South East Asian countries. It causes banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) on plants, which is considered an emerging disease, accompanied by small losses to total wipeout of the crop. This disease is more prevalent in humid weather with temperature around 28°C. The genetics of inheritance of this disease is unclear. Digenic as well as oligogenic inheritance of disease has been reported. A number of QTLs have been identified which will help to expedite breeding program against BLSB. Moreover, various chemical and biological control methods have been developed, but major emphasis is on development of maize cultivars with genetic resistance to BLSB for environment friendly control of the disease.