This study aimed to establish a standardized and easy-to-operate grading criterion for maize root rot severity based on the aboveground symptoms at the seedling stage, and to clarify the effects of different disease severities on maize growth and yield.

The maize was planted with hole-sowing, and the inoculum of Fusarium graminearum was placed between the seeds of two holes for root rot inoculation. After emergence, the symptoms of root rot were observed continuously, and the grading criterion of disease severity was established based on the symptoms of the aboveground parts at the V5 stage. The agronomic traits of plant height, stem base diameter, stem diameter, and ear height of plants with different grades were measured at the V11 stage and dough stage, respectively. At the same time, the incidence of stalk rot, which developed from root rot, was investigated at the dough stage. After harvesting, yield-related traits, including ear diameter, ear length, bare top length, row number per ear, kernel number per row, 100-kernel weight, and kernel weight per ear, were measured. Then, the relationship between root rot severity and yield-related traits was analyzed.

At the V1 stage, the symptoms of yellowing leaf and wilting tip, seminal root and mesocotyl with yellowish-brown lesions, and some mesocotyl with browned vascular tissue were observed. At the V3 stage, the mesocotyl and root system of the diseased plants were necrotic to varying degrees, and the aboveground part of some plants was dead due to the necrotic mesocotyl. At the V5 stage, it can be classified into the following three types, i.e., leaves showed yellowing to varying degrees, or even gradually withered; the plant appearance was a dwarf and developed slowly and stagnantly; the plant died. Furthermore, the severity of root rot was divided into grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 based on the aboveground symptoms at the V5 stage. Investigation of agronomic traits showed that plant height, stem base diameter, stem diameter and ear height decreased gradually with the increase of disease grade of root rot at the V11 stage and dough stage. At the same time, the development of most 9-grade plants was inhibited or stagnated, and showed tillering or deformity. The investigation of stalk rot indicated that some of the root rot plants developed into stalk rot in the late growth stage. The incidence of stalk rot showed a decreasing trend with the increase of root rot grade. The analysis of yield traits showed that the grade of root rot disease was negatively correlated with seven yield-related traits. It could cause more than 50% of the yield loss at the 5-grade, and even no grain at the 9-grade.

Based on the observation and description of the symptoms of maize root rot, an efficient and easy-to-operate grading criterion reflecting disease severity was formulated according to the aboveground symptoms at the V5 stage. Root rot disease can reduce the plant height, stem diameter and ear height, and easily lead to cause stalk rot. The severity of root rot is negatively correlated with yield-related traits. The results of this study are expected to guide resistance evaluation of varieties against root rot, disease control and yield loss assessment.