Screening of Maize Genotypes against Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) under Artificial Infestation

Abstract

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, has a detrimental effect on the sustainable production of maize, particularly in India's small- and marginal-scale farming systems. FAW has indeed spread throughout India, and currently the primary means of control is pesticide spraying. Given the harmful effects of insecticide spray on natural enemies as well as resurgence and resistance problems, there is a need to develop an effective, eco-friendly, and feasible techniques. A screening experiment was carried out during 2021–22 in an insect screening net house under artificial infestation at Winter Nursery Centre, ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, to identify resistant/tolerant maize genotypes to fall armyworm. Twenty-two maize genotypes were evaluated based on the fall armyworm leaf damage score on a scale of 1 to 9, as specified by Davis and Williams (1992), which was later modified by CIMMYT. The pooled mean data of leaf damage score (LDS) per plant varied from 3.93 to 6.84 in CML 71 and CM 501, respectively, and differed significantly from each other. Among the maize genotypes screened, CML 71, CML 67 and DMRE63 recorded significantly lower leaf damage scores of 3.93, 4.00 and 4.17, to fall armyworm. The mean leaf damage score per plant of CML 71, CML 67, DMRE63, CML 561, AEBY-1, CML 335, CML 345, and CML 337 were 3.93, 4.00, 4.17, 4.36, 4.42, 4.57, 4.72, and 4.80, respectively and were categorized as moderately resistant genotypes. These genotypes can be utilized in breeding programmes to develop fall armyworm-resistant/tolerant cultivars.