In order to study the inheritance of resistance to Meloidogyne javanica in corn (Zea mays), two inbred lines, IAC Ip 365-4-1 (resistant) and IAC Ip 48-5-3 (susceptible), F1, F2 and backcrosses, as well as reciprocal crosses were evaluated in two greenhouse trials, carried out at Campinas, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1989/90 and 1992. Completely randomized design was utilized with more replications on segregating generations. The plot was one plant per plastic pot with 500 cm3 of fine sand treated with methyl bromide and fertilized with NPK. Five days after seed germination, each plot was inoculated with 5,000 eggs and larvae of M. javanica. Egg mass index, number of eggs per gram of fresh roots and reproduction factor were evaluated 70 and 60 days after inoculation, respectively in the first and second experiment. Reciprocal crosses showed no significant differences. F1 average, frequency distribution of F2 population and monofactorial segregation indicated that resistance of IAC Ip 365-4-1 to M. javanica was due to one major dominant gene and a minor polygenic effect.
nematode; maize; inheritance; genetic resistance
