Varietal susceptibility of local and hybrid maize against Atherigona soccata (Diptera: Muscidae) under field conditions

Abstract

Maize shoot fly, Atherigona soccata (Rondani) is one of the most serious pest in maize production. It is expensive and environmentally unsafe to manage this serious pest by using chemicals. Best approach to manage this pest is to develop host-plant resistance. Susceptibility of six maize genotypes, local (Sahiwal-2002, Agaiti-85, Neelam) and hybrid (Mon-6714, TG 46B90, Mon-6789) were checked against this pest. Hybrid genotypes TG 46B90, Mon-6714 and Mon-6789 were found moderate to highly susceptible, Neelam and Agaiti-85 were susceptible to moderately susceptible whereas, Sahiwal-2002 was highly susceptible to plant infestation, dead heart, mean eggs load per plant and mean eggs plant per plot. All the genotypes were found susceptible to moderately susceptible based on mean number of larvae and pupae. It is essential to develop pest resistant genotypes for sustainable crop production in future and emerging food security challenges.