Biochemical factors influencing fall armyworm damage in maize

Abstract

The screening field experiment was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station (ZARS), Mandya during Kharif 2020-21 against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda for 210 maize lines, out of which 18 inbreds were selected to study biochemical factors that influence fall armyworm damage. The biochemical parameters in plant sample like TSS (0.77** & 0.50*), TRS (0.52* & 0.64**), nitrogen (0.75** & 0.37), phosphorous (0.81** & 0.59**) and crude protein (0.61** & 0.40) had a positive correlation whereas, potassium (-0.86** & -0.73**), phenols (-0.69** & -0.65**), tannins (-0.81** & -0.77**), TFA (-0.52** & -0.75**) and peroxidases (-0.90** & -0.47*) showed a negative association at 30 and 60 DAS, respectively with leaf damage. Regression analysis stated that 95 percent (R2 = 0.95) and 94 percent (R2 = 0.94) of the whorl damage at the 30 and 60 days growth stage was controlled by these biochemical factors of the plant. In cob samples, TSS (0.49*), TRS (0.57*), nitrogen (0.78**), phosphorous (0.83**), crude protein (0.52*) had a positive association whereas, potassium (-0.92**), phenols (-0.73**), tannins (-0.51*), TFA (-0.70**) and peroxidases (-0.88**) had a negative association with leaf damage. Regression analysis states that 99 percent (R2 = 0.99) of the ear and kernel damage was controlled by these biochemical factors of the plant.