Characterization of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) resistance in maize

Authors: DAS, SHIMUL - Khulna Agricultural University; RAHMAN, TOUFIQUR - Khulna Agricultural University; RAHMAN, MAHFUZUR - Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute; RAHMAN, MAHFUZUR - West Virginia University; Porter, Lyndon; KUMAR, PROSANTA - Khulna Agricultural University; KAMAL, MD - Saga University

Submitted to: Crop Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/5/2024
Publication Date: 10/15/2024
Citation: Das, S., Rahman, T., Rahman, M., Rahman, M., Porter, L.D., Kumar, P., Kamal, M.M. 2024. Characterization of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) resistance in maize. Crop Protection. 57:823-847. https://doi.org/10.1080/03235408.2024.2415150.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03235408.2024.2415150

Interpretive Summary: Fall armyworm (FAW) is currently a major pest on field corn across Bangladesh resulting in significant yield losses. Current cultivars lack resistance to FAW. This research evaluated 15 varieties for FAW resistance as well as other important agronomic traits including yield. Fall armyworm damage was directly associated with increased ear destruction that lowered yields. Line BHM-7 had the best resistance to this insect, with lines BHM-6 and BHM-9 also showing good resistance. This research also determined plant height, ear length, 100 kernel weight, and days to anthesis/silking were highly heritable traits with moderate to high probability of genetic improvement through breeding. Discovered FAW-resistant corn lines will be used in breeding efforts to improve resistance to this devastating pest.

Technical Abstract: Fall armyworm (FAW-Spodoptera frugiperda), an alien invasive pest on the Indian subcontinent has been devastating maize across Bangladesh in recent years resulting in tremendous losses in grain production as popular cultivars lacked resistance to FAW. The current study evaluated a total of 15 maize genotypes in consecutive years. Field trails were conducted to characterize maize genetic resources possessing FAW resistance. The fifteen maize genotypes showed distinctly different levels of resistance to FAW with BHM-7 being the most resistant. Together with resistance response data, data was also collected on different agronomic traits and yield attributes. Maize genotypes showed significant differences in plant height and ear length that resulted in different kernel weight and yield/plant as shown in 4-variable bubble plots. However, a 3-D surface chart indicated increased FAW infestation caused increased ear destruction that lowered grain yield/ha. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that two principal components accounted for 89.27% of the overall variation among genotypes, when multiple parameters like yield/plant, 100 kernel weight, cob number/plant, area under the pest progress curve, mean infestation, and FAW ear damage were included in the PCA. Cluster analysis, on the other hand, divided the 15 maize genotypes into five groups, with cluster three containing BHM-6, -7 and -9 genotypes that had stronger resistance to FAW compared to others. A Pearson correlation revealed a significant strong negative relationship between yield parameters and FAW infestation, while linear regression revealed increased AUPPC decreased kernel weight and thereby grain production/ha. Trait association analysis showed plant height, ear length, 100 kernel weight, and days to anthesis/silking were highly heritable traits with moderate to high probability of genetic advance, indicative of additive gene effects that should be targeted during selection in a maize genetic improvement program. Our study identified genotypes BHM-7, BHM-6, and BHM-9 as potential source that can be utilized in our breeding program for developing maize varieties with resistance against FAW.