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Recurrent Selection for Resistance to Leaf Feeding by Fall Armyworm on Maize

Insect Biology and Population Management Res. Lab., USDA-ARS, P.O. Box 748, Tifton, GA 31793-0748
Crop Science Res. Lab., USDA ARS, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5367

^* Corresponding author.

Populations and inbreds of maize, Zea mays L., with effective levels of resistance to damage by fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), are needed to transfer resistance to commercial hybrids for the U.S. Southeast. Recurrent S₁ selection for resistance to leaf feeding by larvae of fall armyworm was conducted with an exotic maize synthetic, FAW-CC. Our objectives were to estimate genetic variances, heritabilities, and genetic gain and to evaluate effectiveness of selection by comparing predicted and realized progress after five cycles of selection. Variance components and heritabilities were estimated from the S₁ progeny performance tests for each cycle of selection, and progress was determined from a replicated evaluation of populations per se that were generated by recombinations from each selection cycle. Estimates of genetic variance for resistance to leaf feeding, evaluated on a rating scale of 0 to 9 (0 = no damage, 9 = all leaves destroyed), were significant for all but the S₁ progenies in the Cl generation. Significant genotype x location interactions also occurred among S₁ progenies. Heritability estimates were significant (range = 0.45–0.77) for all but the Cl cycle S₁s, and selection gains were about two-thirds as large as predicted from estimated parameters. The regression of leaf-damage rating on selection cycles gave a significant b value of –0.31 units per cycle of selection. Advanced cycles of FAW-CC should be good sources of inbreds with intermediate to high levels of resistance to leaf feeding by larvae of the fall armyworm.

Received for publication August 2, 1991.