Detection of epistatic interaction for susceptibility towards pink borer (Sesamia inferens Walker) in maize (Zea mays L.)

Pink borer (Sesamia inferens Walker) is a major insect pest of winter maize across the peninsular India. In India winter season maize is more productive than rainy season maize. Thus, control of this insect pest assumes wide importance in ensuring higher maize productivity in India. Among various control measures resistance breeding is one of the most viable and sustainable options to control this insect pest. In the present investigation response of 48 promising maize inbred lines belonging to diverse sources to pink borer was analyzed and reported for the first time the inheritance pattern of resistance against pink borer in maize. Out of the 48 inbred lines screened under artificial infestation following standard technique, eight were found to be resistant to pink borer with leaf injury rating (LIR) score less than 3.0, while 16 were moderately resistant and 24 were highly susceptible. Generation mean analysis of a cross between E 62 and CML 451 revealed presence of negative additive and dominance effects, and positive additive × dominance (j) and dominance × dominance (l) epistatic interaction effects. Based on the findings pedigree and population improvement breeding with low selection intensity in early generations are suggested to develop new pink borer resistant lines. Single cross hybrids with lower pink borer susceptibility are feasible to develop with use of at least one of the resistant parent.