Screening of dual purpose maize in inbreds against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

Abstract

The fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) is a major cause of crop loss and food insecurity. There is a need to identify maize genetic resources with FAW resistance for breeding. The objectives of this study were to screen 30 fodder maize inbreds and to select inbred with FAW resistance. Out of total 30 fodder maize inbreds evaluated, seven inbreds viz., JK-1553, CDM-330, CDM-330/Y, DDM-207, PML-36, LM-14 and C-79 were categorized as partially resistant, 15 inbreds viz., PDM-6555, C-70, CDM-112 B, CM-213, DDM-309, C-11, C-8, PDM-4611C, TC-12, PDM-77-4, CDM-105, CML-565, JK-1800, DIM-204A, CM-213B were categorized as susceptible and eight inbreds namely, PDM-24_1, PML-46, PML-85, PML-45, PML-43, CM-142, CM-150, CM-151 were grouped as highly susceptible fodder maize inbreds. None of the above inbreds was classified as either highly resistant or resistant categories.