Screening of rice cultures/germplasm for resistance to stem borer

Abstract

Different rice cultures/ germplasms were screened for their reaction to stem borer during the Kharif season of 2013, 2014 and 2015 at Agricultural Research Station, Thirupathisaram of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The per cent infestation of stem borer varied between 0 and 45.71 during the Kharif season. Among the 46 rice cultures screened against stem borer, TP 10003, TP 10004, TP 10039 and TP 08095 were found to have no or minimal incidence and were rated as resistant category. TP 10002, TP 10005, TP 10016, TP 10038, TP 10051, TP 10052, TP 09048 and TP 09052 were rated as moderately resistant. Though it is a field screening, the incidence of stem borer upto 9 scales at Thirupathisaram, reveal it as a hotspot for screening rice for stem borers. The rice cultures/ germplasm which were rated as resistant have to be screened in artificial conditions with high insect pressure and may be used as donors in resistant breeding programmes against stem borer.