Field evaluation of maize germplasm lines for both whorl- and ear-feeding insect resistance

A total of 29 Antigo maize germplasm lines from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Program received from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Lubbock, TX, were examined for whorl-feeding fall armyworm and ear-feeding corn earworm resistance in 2012 and 2013 with four local resistant and susceptible controls.  The germplasm lines were evaluated for the fall armyworm resistance using visual damage ratings on 7 and 14-d after the artificial infestation, and predator abundance was also recorded 7-d after the infestation.  The corn earworm resistance was evaluated using the manual infestation, and evaluated with cob damage, husk tightness and extension.  The other ear-feeding insect damage (e.g., sap beetles and pink scavenger caterpillar) with natural infestations was also recorded and compared. These newly-identified lines with foliar- and/or ear-feeding insect resistance will be used for new germplasm development in the corn breeding program.