Screening of Doubled Haploid Lines of Maize for Resistance against Fall Armyworm and Pink Stem Borer under Artificial Infestation
Kosireddy Sowmya *
Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, PJTAU, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
CH. Anusha
Scientist, Entomology, Maize Research Unit, ARI, PJTAU, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
K. Vanisree
Senior Scientist, Entomology, AINP on Pesticide Residues and Contaminants, PJTAU, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
B. Mallaiah
Principal Scientist, Plant Pathology, Maize Research Unit, ARI, PJTAU, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study evaluated 30 maize doubled haploid (DH) lines against fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda and pink stem borer (PSB), Sesamia inferens, under artificial infestation during Rabi, 2025–26. The experiment was conducted in a net house under randomized block design with two replications and resistant and susceptible checks. FAW leaf injury was scored at 14 and 21 days after infestation (DAI), ear damage was scored at harvest and PSB leaf injury was scored at 35 DAI. Among the DH lines, the mean FAW leaf injury rating ranged from 3.00 to 5.60. DH 14 recorded the lowest mean score (3.00) and was found to be resistant. Whereas DH 12, DH 15, DH 13, DH 18 and DH 17 had comparatively low injury and were found to be moderately resistant. Mean leaf injury and ear damage were positively associated across the 30 DH lines screened (r = .836, P < .001). Among the evaluated DH lines against pink stem borer, leaf injury rating ranged from 4.96 to 8.36. None of the DH lines were found to be resistant; DH 9, DH 21, DH 19, DH 7, DH 27 and DH 1 were moderately resistant and showed the lowest leaf injury by PSB. The identified resistant and moderately resistant lines can be further evaluated across locations and seasons to include in breeding crossing programmes.
Keywords: Artificial infestation, doubled haploid lines, ear damage, fall armyworm, leaf injury rating, maize, pink stem borer, resistance screening