Evaluation of an aeroponics system to screen maize genotypes for resistance to Fusarium graminearum seedling blight

A noncirculating aeroponics system was evaluated as a method for rapid screening of maize genotypes for resistance to Fusarium graminearum seedling blight/root rot. The system allows for nondestructive, repetitive sampling of seedlings for assessing disease progress and seedling growth. Shoot growth and root rot were assessed at 3-day intervals, and final shoot and root dry weight were determined 15 days after inoculation. The nine hybrids screened differed in severity of root rot as early as 6 days after inoculation, indicating differences in resistance to F. graminearum. Inoculation did not always significantly affect shoot growth, root dry weight, or shoot dry weight, but differences in these agronomic traits were observed among hybrids. LH119 x LH51 and Pioneer Brand 3379 showed the greatest resistance to root rot. Area under-disease progress curve and a critical stage of disease assessment (9 days after inoculation) gave similar rankings of hybrids for root rot resistance, indicating that a single disease assessment (versus multiple assessments) may be adequate in screening for resistance with this aeroponics system.