Field reaction of selected sugarcane hybrids and Erianthus arundinaceus genotypes against shoot borer, Chilo infuscatellus snellen

Investigations were carried out to screen the different groups of sugarcane genotypes against early shoot borer Chilo infuscatellus from 2013–14 to 2016–17. A total of 18 exotic clones, 23 Erianthus arundinaceous and 38 sugarcane hybrids were selected for the study and the genotypes were graded based on cumulative % incidence of shoot borer. In all three years, none of the exotic clones escaped shoot borer attack and the infestation ranged from 3.0 to 47.8%. Among the exotic clones CL 44–223, F 31–450 and M 76–39 were recorded as resistant. Similarly, shoot borer incidence varied from 0.0 to 15.9% among E. arundinaceous genotypes. Shoot borer attack was absolutely nil (0.0%) in the genotypes IK 76–84 and IJ 76–370. Among the 23 E. arundinaceous genotypes tested under field conditions 16 genotypes were graded as resistant. In the 38 hybrids evaluated, five genotypes viz., Co 84028, Co 98013, Co 99016, 84A 146 and Co 97008 were not damaged by shoot borer over the study period which identified as highly resistant genotypes. However, highest shoot borer incidence was recorded in 9 entries viz., Co 62174, CoSnk 0754, Co 99004, Co 99008, ISH 153, Co 97015, CoC 671, Co 94005 and Co 99006 and categorized as highly susceptible with incidence levels ranging from 20.7 to 50%.