The species Pratylenchus zeae and P. brachyurus are the most important nematodes in Brazilian corn fields. Their control with systemic nematicides is efficient but frequently not economic. Previous work indicated that resistance to these nematodes could be found in some corn genotypes. The inheritance of corn resistance to the nematodes was studied using lines of Col 2(22) (resistant) and Ip 48-5-3 (susceptible), the generations F1, F2 and backcrosses. The genotypes were sowed in a field infested with P. zeae (76%) and P. brachyurus (24%). The experiment was carried out at the Pindorama Experimental Station, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in January of 1986. Eighty days after planting the number of nematodes per gram of roots was determined. The results indicated that the resistance to this pest for the line Col 2(22) was due to two dominant genes with additive effect. The heritability was high in broad and narrow sense being respectively 82.0% and 80.8%.
corn; inheritance; resistance; nematodes; Pratylenchus zeae; Pratylenchus brachyurus