Defense Mechanisms of Maize against Pink Stem Borer

Abstract

The pink stem borer ( Sesamia nonagrioides Lef.) is the most important pest of maize ( Zea mays L.) in northwestern Spain. The objective of this work was to evaluate defense mechanisms against Sesamia in 10 inbred lines and the 10‐parent diallel among these inbreds. Hybrids and inbred lines were tested over 2 yr in northwesternSpain under natural and artificial infestations. Yield of infested and non infested plants per plot were computed to calculate yield loss caused by the pink stem borer attack. Principal component analyses for stem damage traits and for ear damage traits were made for each infestation condition. From the principal component analysis, an index was computed to measure stem damage and ear damage. Damage index under artificial infestation was used to evaluate antibiosis while antixenosis was detected when damage index of each genotype was compared under artificial and natural infestation. The regressions of yield loss on the damage index were used to separate the genotypes into four groups according to the possession of antibiosis and/or tolerance mechanisms. A509, A661, EP31, F7, PB60, and Z77016 showed stem antibiosis. A637, A661, EP31, F7, and PB60 exhibited stem tolerance. A509, A661, and EP31 stood out by their ear antibiosis. A637, A661, F7, and PB60 were tolerant to ear damage. We conclude that the three mechanisms of defense to the pink stem borer attack (antixenosis, antibiosis, and tolerance) were found among inbred lines and hybrids. A multitrait selection scheme using damage traits and yield could improve the defense level against pink stem borer.