University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Identification of Resistance to Pythium Root Rot in Maize

Hall, Harrison Peirce

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129248

Description

Title
Identification of Resistance to Pythium Root Rot in Maize
Author(s)
Hall, Harrison Peirce
Issue Date
2025-05-07
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Mideros, Santiago
Department of Study
Crop Sciences
Discipline
Crop Sciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • pythium
  • globisporangium
  • root rot
  • maize
  • resistance
  • flooding
  • oomycete
  • corn
Abstract
Pythium root rot, predominantly caused by species within the genera Pythium and Globisporangium, affects a wide range of crops, including maize. Effective management of this disease often combines soil management, fungicides, and biological controls to mitigate its impact. In the American Midwest, the most common causal agent of maize root rot is Globisporangium ultimum var. ultimum, which thrives in cool, moist soils and can cause substantial crop damage. Despite some success in identifying resistance genes in maize against other pathogens, no resistance has yet been identified for the causal agents of Pythium root rot. In this study, a diverse panel of maize inbred lines were examined with multiple species of causal agents and under different conditions. A high-throughput in vitro screening method was developed, as well as protocols for screening multiple species in hot and cold greenhouse settings. These protocols found evidence that some lines have potential mechanisms or broad range resistance or tolerance to Globisporangium infection.
Graduation Semester
2025-05
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129248
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2025 Harrison Hall

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