Abdelghany Walaa R, Elsharkawy Mohsen M, Abdelkawy Ramy N F, Omara Reda I, Abdelaal Khaled, Abbas Abeer H, Hozzein Wael N, Essa Tarek, ALkhalifah Dalal Hussain, Abou Tabl Ayman H
Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
Front Plant Sci. 2025 Jun 3;16:1566514. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1566514. eCollection 2025.
, the causal agent of late wilt disease (LWD), poses a significant threat to maize production by reducing grain yield and quality. Identifying and developing resistant genotypes adapted to different environments is essential for sustainable crop improvement.
Fifteen maize genotypes were evaluated for their response to LWD across three growing seasons at two experimental locations-Gemmeiza and Sids. Disease incidence, agronomic performance, anatomical features, and antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed. Gene expression analysis of PR1 and PR4 was conducted using RT-qPCR. Genotype × environment interaction (GEI) was analyzed using combined ANOVA and the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model.
Significant differences were observed among genotypes, environments, and their interactions (GEI) for disease incidence and yield-related traits (p < 0.05). AMMI analysis confirmed substantial GEI effects on DI% and hundred kernel weight. Genotypes TWC1100, SC30K9, and SC2031 consistently showed the lowest disease incidence and the highest resistance rating index (RRI > 8.3) across both locations, while the susceptible check Boushy recorded the highest DI% and lowest RRI. TWC1100 and SC30K9 also achieved the highest kernel weights at Gemmeiza (42.8 g and 41.5 g, respectively). Stability analysis using AMMI stability value (ASV) identified TWC1100, SC30K9, TWC324, and SC130 as the most stable genotypes. Biochemical analysis revealed that resistant genotypes exhibited higher peroxidase activity and lower electrolyte leakage. Anatomical examination showed superior root structure in resistant genotypes, particularly SC2031. Molecular analysis confirmed the upregulation of PR1 and PR4 genes post-infection, with TWC1100 showing robust expression, while Boushy exhibited minimal gene activation.
The integration of agronomic, anatomical, biochemical, and molecular analyses revealed promising maize genotypes with enhanced resistance to late wilt disease (LWD) and stable performance across diverse environments. These findings highlight the potential of these genotypes as valuable candidates for inclusion in breeding programs targeting improved disease resistance and yield stability under varying environmental conditions.
晚萎蔫病（LWD）的病原体对玉米生产构成重大威胁，会降低玉米产量和品质。鉴定和培育适应不同环境的抗性基因型对于可持续作物改良至关重要。
在两个试验地点——盖迈扎和锡兹，对15个玉米基因型在三个生长季节对晚萎蔫病的反应进行了评估。评估了发病率、农艺性能、解剖特征和抗氧化酶活性。使用RT-qPCR对PR1和PR4进行基因表达分析。使用联合方差分析和加性主效应与乘积互作（AMMI）模型分析基因型×环境互作（GEI）。
在发病率和产量相关性状方面，基因型、环境及其互作（GEI）之间存在显著差异（p < 0.05）。AMMI分析证实GEI对发病率百分比（DI%）和百粒重有显著影响。基因型TWC1100、SC30K9和SC2031在两个地点始终表现出最低的发病率和最高的抗性评级指数（RRI > 8.3），而感病对照品种布希的发病率百分比最高，抗性评级指数最低。TWC1100和SC30K9在盖迈扎的粒重也最高（分别为42.8克和41.5克）。使用AMMI稳定性值（ASV）进行的稳定性分析确定TWC1100、SC30K9、TWC324和SC130为最稳定的基因型。生化分析表明抗性基因型表现出较高的过氧化物酶活性和较低的电解质渗漏。解剖学检查显示抗性基因型的根系结构更优，特别是SC2031。分子分析证实感染后PR1和PR4基因上调，TWC1100表现出强烈表达，而布希的基因激活最少。
农艺、解剖、生化和分子分析相结合，揭示了具有增强的晚萎蔫病抗性且在不同环境中表现稳定的有前景的玉米基因型。这些发现突出了这些基因型作为有价值的候选品种纳入育种计划的潜力，以在不同环境条件下提高抗病性和产量稳定性。
