Genetic variability of maize pathogens in Serbia

Abstract

Variability of some maize pathogens was identified in the last 50 years of research in Serbia, mostly by their cultural characteristics and susceptibility of test genotypes and only in some cases by determination of mating types, vegetative compatibility or biochemical methods. Although more advanced methods that can determine within population variability at the molecular level were developed, they are still not applied in research in Serbia. The highest variability was determined for maize leaf pathogens - Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard & Suggs (2 races) and Bipolaris zeicola (Stout) Shoemaker (2 races), although this variability is significantly lower than the variability of the same pathogens found in the world. Researches conducted with the aim to determine mating types and vegetative compatibility of the Fusarium species, a maize root and stalk pathogen, indicated their high variability in Serbia. Considering the pathogen ability to adapt easily and quickly to new genotypes, agro-ecological conditions and crop practice, a constant surveillance of parasite divergence and epidemiology is necessary in order to avoid detrimental consequences on maize yield and quality.