Susceptibility of Six Corn Varieties (Zea mays L.) to Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

Agricultural produce is commonly stored in warehouses after the harvest period, before being utilized and fulfilling the crop stock. However, crop threats are not only present during cultivation and harvest, but crops can also be infected during storage, which leads to agricultural loss. This research aimed to observe the resistance level of corn varieties of Bisma, Bisi 18, Bisi 19, Pioneer 21, Pioneer 29, and Pertiwi 3 to the Sitophilus zeamaispest of stored product insects. This resistance was based on the mechanism of non-preference (antixenosis) resistance, measured with the Free Choice Test Method (FCTM), and antibiosis resistance mechanism, measured with the No Choice Test Method (NCTM). The results showed that based on the susceptibility index (Dobie, 1974), corn varieties of Pertiwi 3 were categorized as resistant to S. zeamais pests, while the varieties of Bisi 19, Bisma, Bisi 18, Pioneer 21 and Pioneer 29 were moderately resistant.

Mecanismos de resistencia de poblaciones de maíz originarias de México al ataque del picudo Sitophilus zeamais

“…La susceptibilidad del grano también se debe al aumento de almidón y proteínas (Nwosu et al, 2016). Además, Astuti et al (2019) observaron en diferentes híbridos de maíz la repelencia sobre S. zeamais debido al contenido alto de fibra, ácidos fenólicos e inhibición de la tripsina.…”

A study on the susceptibility of maize genotypes against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…In addition, according to Ngom et al (2020) variety-resistant maize is distinguished by high levels of amylose and moisture content, as well as high grain hardness; increasing amylose content might damage insect reproduction by interfering with digestion mechanisms (antibiosis mechanisms). It has also been demonstrated that resistant types had reduced grain damage and weight loss, which could be attributable to antixenosis resistance mechanisms that prevent the insect from laying eggs and feeding (Astuti et al, 2019). Several biochemical properties have been described to have an effect on maize resistance to S. zamias, and maize breeders have been successful in developing varieties with resistance to the maize weevil, but it is difficult to say that these efforts have reached their intended heights since some improved varieties of maize are broken down by the weevil under storage conditions (Nwosu, 2018).…”