Registration of GT‐FAWCC(C5) Maize Germplasm

GT-FAWCC(CS) (Reg. no. GP-242, PI566665), a maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm population, was developed via five cycles of S, progeny selection for resistance to leaf-feeding by larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), and was jointly released in November 1992 by the USDAARS Insect Biology and Population Management Research Laboratory and the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, GA; and the USDA-ARS Crop Science Research Laboratory and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State, MS. The original breeding population was formed by compositing three broadbased breeding populations, each having resistance to leaf-feeding by larvae of the fall armyworm. One population was a bulk of more than 60 Mexican and Caribbean collections, the second a bulk of families from six collections with Antigua background, and the third a bulk of 100 Brazilian collections. After one generation of random mating, two hundred or more S,s were evaluated for damage under heavy FAW infestation in each cycle in Georgia and Mississippi, and 10% of the best performing S]S were recombined by growing selected S,s from remnant seed. GT-FAWCC(CS) has mixed kernel and cob color. Plants vary in maturity from AES1000 to AES 1100. Plant height of GT-FAWCC(CS) is variable, but averages about the same as many commercial hybrids, and ear height is 20 to 25 cm higher than the same hybrids. Yields of GT-FAWCC(CS) in hybrid combination with several other breeding populations and yields of many commercial hybrids are comparable (1). On a scale of 0 to 9, where 0 = no damage and 9 = the plant completely destroyed, GT-FAWCC(CS) rates about a 5.6. This rating is typical when the population is under heavy artificial insect infestation and is more than 1.5 damage units lower than the original population (2). The population also has more resistance to ear-feeding insects than most commercial hybrids, but stalk lodging is 10 to 15% higher. The population was released as a source of germplasm for developing fall armyworm-resistant inbreds, since its resistance to leaf-feeding and the resistance of our best performing experimental hybrids are comparable. Sufficient variability exists in GT-FAWCC(CS) to allow selection for desirable agronomic types during the inbreeding process. Breeder seed of nomic types during the inbreeding process. Breeder seed of GT-FAWCC(CS) will be maintained by USDA-ARS-IBPMRL, P.O. Box 748, Tifton, GA 31793, and can be obtained from the corresponding author. Recipients of seed are asked to acknowledge the source of the germplasm if it is used in the development of a new cultivar, germplasm, parental line, or genetic stock.