Screening of maize germplasm for resistance against shoot fly

Twenty maize genotypes were screened for resistance against shoot fly during spring 2013 and 2014. Observations were recorded on the parameters viz., i) % plants oviposited, (ii) no of eggs laid, (iii) % deadheart formed, (iv) plant height, (v) days of oviposition, (vi) no of maggots/10 plants, and (vii) weight of maggots. Maximum % oviposition was observed in DC-2 (both years), whereas minimum was in WP-21 in spring 2013 and HKI-323 in spring 2014. The infestation level was too heavy and all the evaluated genotypes were oviposited with. Maximum eggs were laid on DC-2 and the least with HKI-1011. During 2013 and 2014, maximum % of deadheart was observed with DC-2, while the least one was with WP-21 (2013) and in HKI-1011 (2014). The maximum weight of maggot was observed with DC-2 and the least with WP-21 (2013); in 2014, it was observed with JCY-2-7 and WP-21, respectively. Thus the % plants oviposited, number of eggs laid, % deadheart formed, number recovered and weight of maggots indicates the genotype susceptibility level. These levels could be used as marker traits for resistance to shoot fly in maize.