Association of silicon content with yellow stem borer, Scripophaga incertulas (Walker), tolerance in indica rice cultivars
2019
Fernando, T.C. | Ordonio, R.L. | Miranda, R.T. | Castillo, M.P. | Whitehead, C. | Gomez, L. | McQueen-Mason, S.
Yellow stem borers (YSB), Scripophaga incertulas (Walker), are major pests in rice agriculture. Hence, there have been numerous studies on pest management involving them. Improving stem composition is seen as a way to promote YSB tolerant in rice. Silica (SiO2) is known to contribute to normal growth and development in rice and is also linked to resistance to pathogen and other environment factors by affecting physical traits of the stem. Here, Silicon content in rice is shown to positively influence YSB tolerance. In 2017 dry season, YSB occurrence was observed in field planted to exactly 215 indica rice cultivars varying in terms of maturity and other traits. This allowed evaluation of the relationship of rice straw Silicon content with YSB tolerance. YSB incidence was diagnosed by counting whiteheads during the reproductive stage. Incedence reaching 20% meant significant yield loss. In addition, 25 primary tillers each from individual plants per entry were collected during maturity and sent to the University of York for high-throughput rice straw Silicon content analysis. Out of 185 early maturing rice cultivars attacked by YSB, 45 were found to be tolerant. Person's correlation showed positive relationship between Silicon content and YSB tolwrance, i.e., higher silicon levels can lead to better tolerance. These rice cultivars with higher silicon content can be utilized in breeding programs as sources of tolerance or resistance to YSB.
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