ARS | Publication request: THE BENEFITS OF INSECT RESISTANT MAIZE

Submitted to: Thomas Say Publications in Entomology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: June 30, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Resistance to many insects which attack maize has been identified. This resistance varies from very high to low, but all levels of resistance are useful in managing pest insect populations. Many of the current commercial maize hybrids have some resistance to economically important insects that attack maize. Over 65% of commercial maize hybrids have some resistance to the corn leaf aphid, over 90% have some resistance to first-generation European corn borer (ECB), and over 75% have some resistance to second-generation ECB. In the future, transgenic maize will play a major part in management of ECB populations. Resistance factors for corn earworm have been identified in maize silks. Western corn rootworm sources of antibiotic resistance being explored are in exotic maize and relatives of maize. To date, one maize composite population and eight inbred lines with resistance to southwestern corn borer have been released by the USDA, ARS at Mississippi State University. Most of these cultivars are also resistant to ECB. Another host- plant resistance (HPR) program is being developed for chinch bugs. A major contribution to HPR research has been the development of techniques which allow various degrees of resistance or susceptibility to be distinguished. These techniques have been readily adapted by researchers in the maize industry and this, in turn, has promoted cooperative working relations between industry and the public sector. All of this permits the producer to enjoy the end products of research in a more timely fashion.