Developmental biology and protein interactions of spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus on diverse array of maize genotypes

Abstract

We studied the developmental biology of Chilo partellus on different maize types and total protein content in seedlings of different maize types vis-a-vis the C. partellus larvae reared on these genotypes to gauge the level of antibiosis in these specialty maize genotypes. The studies suggested significant differences for larval weight, larval survival, larval period, pupal period and adult emergence of C. partellus on the test maize types. The larval weight of C. partellus was significantly lower on resistant check, CML 345 as compared to other genotypes, being highest on sweet corn and Quality Protein Maize (QPM) genotypes. The larval period and pupal periods were significantly higher on white kernel and yellow kernel genotypes as compared to that on sweet corn and QPM genotypes, and the susceptible check, Basi Local. In general, the larval survival and adult emergence were significantly lower on white kernel and yellow kernel genotypes as compared to that on sweet corn and QPM genotypes including susceptible check, Basi Local. There were significant differences for total protein content in different maize types and the C. partellus larvae fed on these genotypes. Protein content in maize seedlings was lower as compare to that in stem borer larvae fed on them. Total protein content was significantly higher in QPM, while lower in susceptible check, Basi Local as compared to other group of maize genotypes, except in few cases. Present studies have implications for understanding the mechanism of resistance and the host plant-insect biochemical interactions.