Breeding maize and sorghum for resistance to the European corn borer
1989
Guthrie, W.D.
Resistance in maize, Zea mays L., to leaf feeding by first-generation European corn borers (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner, is conditioned by at least eight genes. Resistance to sheath-collar feeding by second-generation ECB is conditioned by at least seven genes. Reciprocal translocation studies showed that at least 12 of the possible 20 chromosome arms, contributing a minimum of 13 genes, are involved in resistance; only 2 or 3 of the 12 chromosome arms are in common for genes resistant to the two ECB generations. Thus, resistance to the ECB is conditioned by two different mechanisms. This number of genes rules out the possibility of using a backcross procedure to transfer resistance to susceptible maize genotypes. A recurrent selection breeding technique was used to develop genotypes of maize resistant to leaf feeding by first-generation ECB, resistant to sheath-collar feeding by second-generation ECB, and to develop genotypes with resistance for the whole life of the plant.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics