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Southwestern Corn Borer Larval Growth on Corn Callus and its Relationship with Leaf Feeding Resistance 1
Author(s) -
Williams W. Paul.,
Davis Frank M.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1985.0011183x002500020026x
Subject(s) - biology , callus , hybrid , larva , diallel cross , inbred strain , horticulture , zea mays , agronomy , botany , gene , genetics
Leaf feeding damage by the southwestern corn borer [ Diatraea grandiosella (Dyar)] can significantly reduce corn ( Zea mays L.) yields. Inbred lines with reistance to such damage have been developed; however, little information is available on the inheritance or basis of this resistance. Earlier investigations indicated a relationship between level of leaf feeding resistance of corn genotypes and growth of larvae on plants or on callus initiated from these genotypes. To gain additional information on the relationship between level of leaf feeding resistance and larval growth rate on corn callus, the F 1 hybrid progeny of a six‐parent (three leaf feeding resistant and three susceptible inbred lines) diallel cross were evaluated for leaf feeding damage in field tests in 1982 and 1983 as well as larval growth on corn callus initiated from each of the 15 hybrids. Leaf feeding damage sustained by a hybrid and larval growth on callus of the hybrid were highly correlated (r = 0.81). Mean squares for general combining ability were highly significant for leaf feeding damage and larval growth rate on callus. The specific combining ability mean square was significant for larval growth rate on callus but not for leaf feeding damage. Larvae reared for 7 days on hybrids of two susceptible inbreds had a mean weight of 17.8 mg compared to 10.8 mg for larvae reared on hybrids of two resistant inbreds. The differences among hybrids in larval weights on callus and their high correlation with leaf feeding ratings indicate that weights might be used as an additional technique in selecting corn genotypes with resistance and investigating the basis of resistance.