Preliminary Trial of 11 New Hybrid Maize Genotype to The Resistance on Java Downy Mildew (Peronosclerospora maydis)

Maize or corn (Zea mays L.) belongs to the family of grasses (Poaceae).  Maize is grown globally and one of the most important cereal crop in the world.  In many countries, corn is the main agricultural crop, and are used as food, feed and industrial raw materials. Together with rice and wheat, corn included in the cereals that provide about 65% carbohydrates and 50% protein that humans need. For this purpose, many developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa are in a strong effort to increase their corn yields through the use of better seeds.  Although in Indonesia, corn is the second important food crop after rice, however, with the rapid growth of the livestock industry, corn is a major component (60%) in feed ingredient.  It is estimated that more than 55% of the corn used for feed in Indonesia.  Java Downy Mildew (Peronosclerospora maydis) is the main disease that is concerned by maize corn growers. This disease often resulting in substantial losses for farmers, even reach 100% in susceptible genotypes.  Therefore trial on 11 new prospective hybrids was conducted with the expectation that they can be classified in the criteria “less resistant or higher” according to the criteria of modified Reid (2005).  Of the 11 new hybrids, 3 new hybrids (27.3%) classified in the criteria “very resistant”, 4 new hybrids (36.4%) classified in the criteria “resistant”, 2 new hybrid (18.2%) classified in the criteria “less resistant”, and 2 other new hybrids (18.2%) classified in the criteria “less susceptible”.