Defensive responses of Erianthus arundinaceus against sugarcane shoot borer, Chilo infuscatellus (Snellen) (Crambidae: Lepidoptera)

Abstract

A total of eight field screened Erianthus arundinaceus genotypes against sugarcane shoot borer, Chilo infuscatellus was further screened under laboratory conditions along with a ruling variety Co 86032 for their confirmation of resistance and susceptibility. A significant reduction of C. infuscatellus larval and pupal survival; larval and female pupal weight; adult longevity; fecundity rate (eggs/female) and extended larval and pupal duration was recorded in the genotypes IJ 76 370, IJ 76 364 and IK 76 78, respectively. Biochemical parameters viz., total phenols, poly phenol oxidase and proteinase inhibitors and total proteins were highest in the genotypes IJ 76 370 and IJ 76 364 which indicates the presence of antibiosis mechanism of resistance against C. infuscatellus. The total soluble sugars were significantly lower in all genotypes. The genotypes IJ 76 364 and IK 76 84 fed – C. infuscatellus showed lowest larval total carbohydrate and protein content, respectively. The study identified two elite E. arundinaceus IJ 76 370 and IJ 76 364, that could be used as new genetic stocks for the possible utilization in the future resistant breeding programme against sugarcane shoot borer.

Keywords:

• antibiosis
• C. infuscatellus biology
• Erianthus arundinaceus
• resistance
• Screening

Acknowledgements

Authors greatly acknowledge the constant support and encouragement rendered by Dr. Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

We hereby confirm that data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.