Evaluation of Some Maize ( Zea mays L.) Genotypes for Growth, Grain Yield and Resistance to Stem Borers

Abstract

In Sudan maize (Zea mays L.) subjected mainly to two Lepidopteran stem borers, Chilo partellus and Sesamia cretica, causing considerable decrease in yield at the end of the season. A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), Gezira Research Station Farm, Wad Medani, Sudan, during winter season of 2016. The experiment was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. A thirteen maize genotypes were evaluated for growth, yield and it‘s components and insect infestation of stem borers which included (leaves damage, number of holes per plant and tunnels length). Phenotypic correlation between different characters was calculated. The results showed that there were significant differences among maize genotypes for some growth, yield characters and insect infestation. Phenotypic correlation between plant heights, stem diameter, number of holes and tunnels length was positive and significant. The higher level of leaves damage (4.6) and the lower (2.6) were obtained for the genotypes 2014E 37 and 2014E 92, respectively .The higher and lower level of number of holes /plant was (2.71) and (1.7 ) and scored for the genotypes 2014E 79, LONGS and BOMU, respectively .The higher and lower level of tunnels length ranged between (3.24 ) and (1.34) and obtained by genotypes LONGS and 2014E 98 respectively. The genotypes LONGS and 2014E 98 scored the highest grain yield of (1286.3 kg/ha) and (946.7 kg/ha), in respect of their obtaining high of leaves damage (3.6) and (3.3) and high the number of holes /plant of (2.7) and (1.71) and high tunnels length of (3.24 ) and (1.34), respectively. This result illustrate the ability of these two genotypes to obtain high yield coupled with their tolerant to insect infestation .Therefore, they could be of high benefit in any maize breeding program for resistance to stem borer in future.