Evaluation of Maize Varieties for Resistance to Field Pests: Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda JE Smith) and Stem Borer in a Tropical Rainforest Agro-Ecology

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate newly improved maize varieties for fall armyworm and stem borer resistance and determine the relationship among traits for increased productivity in a rainforest location in Nigeria. Study Design: The experiments were laid out in a 10 x 10 triple lattice design with three replications and Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in four replicates. Place and Duration of Study: Field experiments were conducted during the late seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Methodology: Hundred newly improved maize varieties were evaluated during the late season of 2018 for fall armyworm resistance, while ten stem borers resistant varieties were evaluated during the late season of 2019. Data were collected on emergence, flowering, vegetative, armyworm, and grain yield traits. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), descriptive statistics, correlation and cluster Analysis. Results: Differential responses for resistance to fall armyworm traits were observed for all the varieties evaluated. Fall armyworm trait was observed to be negatively correlated with emergence percentage and ear number and positively correlated with flowering traits and moisture content. Furthermore, the results from the stem borer varieties evaluation indicated varietal differences for emergence percentage, plant height, ear height and kernel number. Stand count, ear number and weight per plot, moisture content had a significant positive correlation with yield while days to tasseling and silking and kernel row number had a significant negative correlation with yield. Conclusion: The best resistant varieties to fall armyworm were F2SCA 1413-36, ACR. 06 TZL COMP. 3C4 and 2013 TZEE-W POP STR with 6.01 tons/ha, 5.11 tons/ha, and 4.87 tons/ha of yield respectively while that of stem borer were TZBR Comp 1 –W C2 and Ama TZBR-W C4 with grain yield of 3.7 tons/hectare and 3.5 tons/hectare respectively.