Grant Title:

Introgressing Genes for Striga hermonthica Resistance from Teosinte to Maize

Project Objectives/Activities

• Finalize genotyping F3 families derived from 607-2-1 x 1393 population with more markers and generate a complete map for this population.  This would include adding more markers from the particular maize chromosome regions showing significant variation for Striga resistance in our study to saturate the map with more markers.

• Genotype a large number of Striga resistant lines derived from other sources of germplasm with the putative markers to verify the consistency of these markers in identifying Striga resistant traits across different genetic backgrounds.

• Characterize mechanisms of resistance of inbred lines derived from different genetic backgrounds using laboratory assay and evaluate the utility of putative markers linked with Striga resistance traits to identify genotypes with different mechanisms of resistance.

• Continue the search for new sources of resistance genes in Z. diploperennis and Tripsacum accessions as well as in temperate and tropical germplasm for introgression into our breeding populations

• Confirm mechanisms of resistance in selected inbred lines included in a combining ability study using laboratory and field screening techniques and determine the stability of the mechanisms of resistance of these lines across locations.

• Use the backcross populations involving Zea diploperennis as sources of inbred lines and varieties with resistance to Striga.