Effect of Phenols and Sugars on Maize Resistance to Late Wilt Disease

Late wilt disease (Cephalosporium maydis) is one of the most important fungal disease, causing severe losses in maize (Zea mays L.) plant populations and consequently in grain yield. Reduction in maize yield due to late wilt may approach 40%. The casual fungus of late wilt was identified in Egypt in the early sixties as a destructive vascular wilt disease causing sharp losses in maize yield. Therefore, late wilt disease is one of the most important evaluation test restricting hybrids in Egypt. Breeding for developing resistant maize hybrids to late wilt is considered the most effective method for controlling this aggressive disease as well as increasing maize production.