Relative susceptibility of different varieties of maize to infestation by the Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) as influenced by the biochemical content of the grains
Abstract
Twenty five varieties of maize grains containing amylose, protein, oil and ash content ranging from 12.50 to 48.69, 9.40 to 12.70, 4.10 to 6:28 and 1.39 to 1.75 per cent, respectively were subjected to infestation by Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), Susceptibility to infestation by the pest was measured as revealed by per cent grain damage, adult population emergence. mean development period and susceptibility index. The grain damage, adult population, mean development and susceptibility index ranged from 1.00 to 14.64 per cent, 0.87 to 14.66 adult, 29.67 to 36.67 days and 5.03 to 14.53 respectively. Among biochemical characters; amylose and oil content of the grains were negatively correlated. However susceptibility index (S.1.) with protein content was positively correlated. No significant correlation was observed between ash content of grains and other parameters.
