Role of morphological traits and cell wall components in imparting resistance to pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens Walker in maize

Host Plant Resistance (HPR) is the most important component for sustainable management of insect pests. The purpose present work was to understand role various morphological and biochemical factors as defense mechanism their interaction on different biological parameters attributed survival development pink stem borer (PSB), Sesamia inferens Walker in maize. resistant moderately genotypes (DMRE 63, CM 500 WNZ Exotic pool) suffered least leaf injury rating (LIR), dead hearts (DH%), percentage tunneling (ST%), number entry/exit holes (E/EH) showed deleterious effects compared susceptible ones (CM 202 BML 6). index among varied from 0.11 0.46. variation traits such nodes, internode distance diameter could not distinguish all that terms its mean value. Higher levels constituents, viz ., p -Coumaric acid ( -CA), ferulic (FA), detergent fibre (ADF) lignin (ADL) were observed ones. Antibiosis expressed reduced pupal weight when fed pool, whereas larval affected DMRE 63. concentration -CA content pith maize prolonged period borer. FA contents rind adult emergence, they significant negative correlation between them. with higher ADF ADL either or both a positive period. Pearson analysis constituents revealed damage parameters. coefficients DH (%), ST (%) E/EH r= -0.9642 ** , -0.9363 -0.9646 respectively. Similarly, -0.9217 * -0.9563 -0.9434 respectively -0.9506 -0.9611 -0.9709 study confirms can also be used selection criteria along LIR identify against Based it concluded resistance result several rather than single factor. findings obtained utilised breeding programmes enhance diversify basis resistance.