Characterization of antixenosis and antibiosis resistance to the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in maize

Abstract

Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is an invasive insect pest that poses a severe threat to maize production affecting the livelihood and food security of small holder farmers in African and Asian countries. Host plant resistance is one of the potential methods for FAW management in a sustainable manner. Identification of genotypes with different categories of resistance is important to diversify the basis of resistance to FAW. This study aimed to characterize the antixenosis and antibiosis resistance through oviposition, developmental and survival parameters of FAW on 16 diverse maize genotypes. Antixenosis was assayed under no-choice and multi-choice conditions, while antibiosis was assayed in bioassays in which larvae were reared on leaf tissue. Genotype CML 336 showed strong antixenosis both under no-choice and multi-choice conditions while the genotypes DMRE 63, CML 59, CML 60, CML 70, and CML 501 exhibited antixenosis under multi-choice conditions. Genotypes CML 122, CML 330, CML 332 and CML 337 showed antibiosis characteristics and resulted in prolonged duration of the larval period. Further, the low larval survival (%), larval weight, and pupal weight when fed on DMRE 63 indicated that antibiosis could be conferring resistance to FAW. Based on GGE biplot analysis, the resistant genotypes (DMRE 63, CML 70, CML 337, and CML 122) were grouped along with group one parameters namely larval period and pupal period. The present study provides information on different categories of resistance in maize genotypes and results could be used in breeding programmes focusing on maize resistance to FAW.