Seven maize genotypes were evaluated against shoot fly
species (Ather/gona soccata Rondani and A. naqvii
Steyskal) under heavy natural infestation during spring,
1995 and 1996 seasons. The shoot fly species did not
discriminate amongst the plants of different varieties while
laying eggs in the field. All the varieties differed
significantly from each other in relation to dead-heart
formation due to shoot flies, the lowest being in Antigua
Gr. I and highest in eM - 300. Significantly more number
of dead-hearts were formed in 1996 than 1995.
Morphological plant characters were either positively or
negatively correlated with the number of eggs laid by
shoot fly species showing insignificant differences
indicating that these did not influence the egg laying by
shoot flies in the field. The leaf width and stem thickness,
number of leaves/plant and leaf length were positively
and negatively, respectively significantly correlated with
dead-heart percentages. It showed that resistant varieties
had less stem thickness and leaf width, more leaf length
and number of leaves/plant as compared to susceptible
ones. However, other plant characteristics were either
negatively or positively correlated showing non-significant
difference.
Keywords: Ather/gona soccata, Atherigona naqvii, resistance, morphological factors, Zea mays L.
Year: 2001
Volume: 61
Issue: 4
Article DOI: NA
Print ISSN: 0019-5200
Online ISSN: 0975-6906
C. N. Rao and V. P. S. Panwar info_circle