Resistance to Kernel Infection by Fusarium moniliforme in Inbred Lines of Sweet Corn and the Effect of Infection on Emergence. J. M. Headrick, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801. J. K. Pataky, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801. Plant Dis. 73:887-892. Accepted for publication 2 June 1989. Copyright 1989 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-73-0887.

Kernels from silk-inoculated and noninoculated sweet corn ears were evaluated for incidence of symptomatic infection of kernels by Fusarium moniliforme (i.e., the percentage of kernels showing signs or symptoms of F. moniliforme), incidence of asymptomatic infection of kernels, and emergence. A total of 138 inbreds were evaluated in at least 1 yr, and 17 were evaluated in each of 3 yr. Emergence was reduced by kernel infection in many inbreds but was dependent on genotype and may have been influenced by environmental stress. Sources of partial resistance to kernel infection by F. moniliforme were identified among sweet corn inbred lines that showed good emergence. On the basis of our data, kernel infection by F. moniliforme appears to reduce emergence in particular genotypes under given environmental conditions, although physiological constraints on vigor of seedlings may be of greater importance than F. moniliforme in the emergence and performance of sweet corn hybrid seedlings.