Evaluation of natural fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) resistance in the germ plasm of UF field corn breeding program

Field corn germ plasm reported to have natural insect resistance to several different lepidopteran insect pests, was acquired over last fifteen years.  These lines came from several different sources and included both open pollinated populations and inbreds.  All lines were selected for yield, agronomic traits, and disease resistance under south Florida growing conditions.  Multiple generations of selection occurred until lines were determined to be finished inbreds.  These finished inbreds and hybrids, made from these inbreds, were inoculated with FAW neonates to determine their ability to resist leaf feeding.  Several lines show good potential as sources of fall armyworm resistance.