Abstract:

This review aims to clarify the harm mechanism and genetic regularity of resistance to maize ear rot, so as to facilitate disease-resistant breeding and green prevention and control. It summarizes the symptomatic characteristics, epidemic regularity, harm features and influencing factors of maize ear rot; concludes the integrated prevention and control strategies including agricultural, chemical and biological control; and systematically combs the latest research progress in the screening of resistant germplasm resources, mapping of resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL), genome-wide association studies (GWAS), as well as development and functional verification of resistance genes for maize ear rot. The key problems faced by current disease-resistant breeding are pointed out, including the scarcity of highly resistant germplasm resources, complex genetic mechanism of resistance, inadequate functional analysis of resistance genes, insufficient integration of multi-technical breeding, and the threat of mycotoxins from maize ear rot. Future research directions are proposed as follows: (1) Strengthen the collection, accurate identification and innovative utilization of resistant germplasm resources; (2) deeply analyze the functions of disease-resistant genes and their interaction mechanisms with the environment; (3) utilize modern biotechnologies such as transgeneic and gene editing to create new materials with broad-spectrum and durable resistance; (4) promote the integration of multi-technical breeding, accelerate the breeding of new disease-resistant varieties with excellent agronomic traits, so as to realize the green and sustainable prevention and control of maize ear rot.

Key words: maize ear rot, resistance genetic breeding, QTL fine mapping, gene editing technology, integrated disease management, maize germplasm innovation