Resistance to the spotted stem borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) and pink stem borer Sesamia inferens walker in maize

Two hundred twelve maize inbred lines were screened against Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) and Sesamia inferens Walker during rainy and post rainy seasons, 2012, respectively, under artificial infestation in field conditions. Based on the leaf injury rating (LIR) scale (1–9), 110 inbred lines with LIR < 3.0 along with resistant and susceptible check were re-screened against C. partellus during rainy season 2013 in augmented design under artificial infestation. Of the 212 inbred lines, 34 genotypes with LIR < 3.0 were re-screened along with three checks in replicated randomized block design during post rainy season 2013, against S. inferens under artificial infestation. The six genotypes viz., PFSRS2, AEBYC5341-1, P390AM/CMLC4F230-B-2, AEBCYC534-3-1, CML384X176F3- 100-9 and P63C2-BBB-17B were found to be the least susceptible to C. partellus, and 29 genotypes were categorized as moderately susceptible. Of the 34 inbred lines screened against S. inferens, six inbred lines namely WNZPBTL 9 (3.2), WNZPBTL 8 (3.5), CML 338 (3.6), WNZ EXOTIC POOL DC2 (3.1), CML 424 (3.2), WNZPBTL 91 (3.4) recorded LIR less than resistant check CM 500 (3.8) and 15 inbred lines were considered as moderately susceptible. These maize inbred lines could be utilized as sources of resistance against C. partellus and S. inferens.