Vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in Zea mays affected by breeding for resistance to fungal pathogens

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Abstract
Inbred lines of Zea mays L. (maize) selected for a range of resistances to a variety of fungal pathogens were assayed for percentage colonization by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Inbreds that were generally resistant to a number of fungal pathogens had significantly lower levels of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae, matured more slowly, and had larger root systems. Disease-susceptible inbreds had significantly higher levels of mycorrhizal colonization, matured more rapidly, and had smaller root systems. It is uncertain if a general resistance to fungal pathogens or rate of root development, separately or in combination, may have influenced mycorrhizal colonization levels. Irrespective of cause, present breeding programs for disease resistance in maize do influence the plants ability to form mycorrhizae.