engleski

Two-year experiment of field screening in maize germplasm for resistance and tolerance to Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte in Eastern Croatia

As a part of resistance breeding program against Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) at the Agricultural institute Osijek, Croatia, 127 maize genotypes were screened for reduced root damage (resistance trait) and for increased compensatory root growth (tolerance trait) in 2007 and 2008. The experiment was conducted in two replications as an alpha design planted at two locations under continuous maize growing conditions in Eastern Croatia, a major maize production area with natural Diabrotica occurrence. Results from pheromone trap monitoring showed two peaks on both locations in 2007 (July and August). In 2008 pressure was much higher, beetles were counted twice a week, and at one location peaked three times with over 2000 beetles per counting (six traps). For assessing resistance of maize genotypes, the Iowa Node Damage Scale (0-3) was applied, while for assessing tolerance Visual Scale (1-6) was used for compensatory root growth. Across the locations and years, maize genotypes varied significantly for both root damage and compensatory root growth indicating feasible genetic variability for both traits. However, there was practically no correlation between the two traits. Based on these results, there is potential to improve maize resistance and tolerance to Diabrotica in Croatia although root damage and compensatory root growth are not correlated.

Western Corn Rootworm ; resistance breeding ; maize genotypes ; resistance trait ; tolerance trait

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