Indirect selection for resistance to Stenocarpella maydis and Fusarium graminearum and the prospects of selecting for high‐yielding and resistant maize hybrids

Stenocarpella maydis and Fusarium graminearum affect grain yield and quality as a result of mycotoxins produced. A negative association of yield with resistance to cob rots has been reported. The objectives of this study were therefore to investigate the influence of cob characteristics on the response to F. graminearum and S. maydis disease reaction and evaluate the prospects of direct selection for high‐yielding and resistant maize hybrids. In this study, the pathogens were directly introduced to the cob through toothpick inoculation. Correlation of husk cover to disease severity of each pathogen, separately toothpick inoculated, was significant (P < 0.01). However, the low r values (<0.45) of traits associated with the response to inoculation by S. maydis and F. graminearum imply that indirect selection would not be beneficial for obtaining the type of resistance shown under inoculation. Several hybrids combined good yields with at least moderate resistance to both pathogens.