Source of resistance in pearl millet varieties against stem borers and the ear headminer

Abstract

The most damaging pearl millet insect pests in Senegal include ear headminer (Heliocheilus albipunctella) and the complex of stem borers Sesamia calamistis, Coniesta ignefusalis, Eldana saccharina and Busseola fusca. To reduce damage and loss from these pests, resistant varieties would be most cost effective for smallholder farmers. Evaluation using Gawane, ISMI9507, Thialack2 varieties, IBV8004 as the resistant check and Souna3 as the susceptible check from the Senegalese of Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA) was conducted under natural infestation in the 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons. The results showed a low stem borer incidence and damage on Thialack2 and Gawane compared to Souna3. Thialack2 recorded a high incidence and damage by H. albipunctella but gave higher yields than the other varieties. The damages due to H. albipunctella on ISMI9507and its grain yield were the lowest. It is suggested, Gawane contains a source of resistance to stem borers i.e. S. calamistis while Thialack2 also exhibited tolerance to H. albipunctella for which ISMI9507 would be resistance as well.