Screening of Tropical Maize Inbred Lines by Artificial Infestation for Resistance against Invasive Fall Armyworm in India
K. Vani Sree
*
Maize Research Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
D. Bhadru
Maize Research Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
M. V. Nagesh Kumar
Maize Research Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
S. Upendhar
Maize Research Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
B. Mallaiah
Maize Research Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
Y. Sivalakshmi
Maize Research Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study was aimed to find resistance sources against FAW.
Study Design: Randomised Block Design.
Place and Duration of Study: The Present study was conducted at Maize Research Centre, Hyderabad with promising germplasm during Kharif-2021, Rabi-2021-22 and Kharif-2022.
Methodology: Field-collected FAW egg masses were reared using maize leaf- and stalk-based diet at 27 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity and 12 h day length. The resulting neonates were used to infest the seedlings of 34 diverse tropical maize inbred genotypes.
Results: A total of 15 genotypes were found to have recorded a leaf damage score of less than 5 with the least score recorded in BML 2 (3.24), followed by BML 11 (3.34), BML 7(3.37), BML 5 (3.37), BML 8 (3.49), CM 201 (3.60), BML 32-2 (3.91), CM 132 (3.97), BML 10 (4.01), BML 6 (4.02), BML 13 (4.34), CM202 (4.34), CM 131 (4.68), BML 90 (4.82), BML 45 (4.95) and displayed moderate resistance.
Conclusion: Out of 34 inbred lines studied 15 were found to be moderately resistant to fall armyworm based on LIR and cob damage score under artificial infestation.
Keywords: Fall army worm, rearing, artificial infestation, controlled screening, genotypes