Comprehensive field screening and morphological assessment of local landraces of paddy for locating resistance against yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker)

Fifty local landraces of paddy were evaluated for resistance against Scirpophaga incertulas. Based on the mean per cent incidence genotypes were grouped into different resistance categories using the Standard Evaluation System for Rice (SES) developed by IRRI. Out of 50 landraces screened, eleven genotypes were found to be resistant viz., Coimbatore sanna-1, Chinne ponni-3, GK-I, Gamnada batta, Jenugudu, Jeerige sanna, Karikagga, Kundi pullan, Rajbhoga, BR 2655, Adri batta with a damage score of 1. Further, 22 landraces registered moderate resistance with a damage score of 3 i.e., Ambe mohar, Andra Basamati, Bili akki, Bangara sanna-1, Bili mundaga, Coimbatore, Bangara sanna-4, Akkalu, Dodda Batta, Dodda Baikalu, Gandha sale-1, Itansel, Kalajeera, Kari Swarna, Mara batta-1, PB Local, Navalisale, Rahodaya, Sannakki, Budda, Dappa batta, Mullu batta. The findings also indicated a significant negative correlation between plant height and flag leaf length. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed for flag leaf width, width of the second leaf and stem diameter in relation to their resistance to YSB.