Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #280678
Title: Comprehensive field screenings for whorl- and ear-feeding insect resistance in corn germplasm lines

Author
item Ni, Xinzhi

Submitted to: International Congress of Entomology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2012
Publication Date: 8/19/2012
Citation: Ni, X. 2012. Comprehensive field screenings for whorl- and ear-feeding insect resistance in corn germplasm lines. International Congress of Entomology, August 19-25, 2012, Daegu, Korea. Abstract S1009TU06.

Interpretive Summary: not required

Technical Abstract: A holistic approach to developing new corn germplasm that confers multiple insect resistance in various plant tissues at different growth stages was examined in two separate studies. The first study was the screening of eight corn germplasm lines for resistance whorl damage to fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)]. Four corn germplasm lines with known levels of resistance to root- and ear-feeding insects, and four germplasm entries with different levels of S. frugiperda resistance were evaluated in the study. Based on cluster analysis of S. frugiperda injury rating and predator survey data,‘Mp708’ and ‘FAW7061’ were the most resistant, whereas ‘Ab24E’ and ‘EPM6’ were the most susceptible to fall armyworm feeding. The western corn rootworm-resistant ‘CRW3(S1)C6’ showed resistance to S. frugiperda feeding. ‘CRW3(S1)C6’ and ‘Ab24E’ had the highest and lowest predator abundance, respectively. In the second study, 20 germplasm lines from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Program were examined. Four types of insect damage were assessed on corn ears. They were corn earworm [Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] damage, maize weevil [Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)] -damaged kernels (%), stink bug-discolored kernels (%), and other chewing insect (e.g., sap beetles, chocolate milkworm, and pink scavenger caterpillar)-damaged kernels (%). Smut [Ustilago maydis (DC) Corda] infection rate, and husk tightness and extension were also assessed. Three of the 20 germplasm lines were identified as being multiple insect and smut resistant. Of the three lines, two were derived from ‘DKXL370,’ while the third line was derived from ‘CUBA117.’