The table below shows the rankings of diverse inbred lines of maize for quantitative resistance to Grey leaf spot (GLS), Northern leaf blight (NLB), and Southern leaf blight (SLB) disease (results from Wisser et al. 2011). Multiple disease resistance (MDR) rankings were calculated as an equally weighted index of disease-specific breeding values. Rank 1=most resistant; ties in rank were averaged.

Project Extended: To further study the genetics of MDR, a separate project was initiated in collaboration with Dr. Peter Balint-Kurti (USDA-ARS, NCSU). Lines with colored text were used to create populations of Disease Resistance Introgression Lines (DRILs). These whole genome, chromosome segment substitution line populations were made by backcrossing four different MDR lines (donor parent, red text) into the backgrounds of two different MDS lines (recurrent parent, green text; MDS parent H100 not shown). In a completed collaboration with DuPont-Pioneer these populations were genotyped, which is now being combined with the results from two years of disease trials for analysis of MDR loci.