Eko Hary Pudjiwati, Kuswanto, Nur Basuki, Arifin Noor Sugiharto
This research was aim to investigate both direct and indirect effects of some characters related to downy mildew resistance in maize. This information is required to determine the selection criteria on maize breeding program for downy mildew resistance. The research was conducted at Research Station of Agriculture Faculty, University of Brawijaya, from January to April 2012. Five varieties of hybrid maize and five inbreeding lines were employed, and Randomized Complete Block Design with two replications was applied. The result showed revealed that trichome and stomatal density on the upper and lower surface of leaves had positif direct effect and genotipic correlation with downy mildew disease incidence. These characters are qualified as effective selection criteria for resistance to downy mildew. In relation to maize breeding program, low trichome density and stomatal density characters enhance downy mildew resistance.
Agrotechnology Department, Borneo University of Tarakan, Tarakan East Kalimantan, Jl. Amal Lama No. 1, Indonesia; University of Brawijaya, Malang 65145 East Java, Jl. Veteran, Indonesia
