Evaluation of SNP-Based Markers Utilization for Resistance to Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda on Eight Corn Varieties

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the study was to compare responses of different corn varieties to the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) attack and to map patterns of single nucleotide polymorphism of the RGA genes. The study consisted of two activities, i.e., the field experiment to observe corn damage intensity and the laboratory observation to study the SNP pattern. Field experiment was conducted to compare eight corn varieties set in randomized block design with 3 replications. Damage intensity of the corn due to S. frugiperda attack was observed on the field and the corn samples were analyzed in the laboratory to examine the RGA (resistance gen analogue) which contained single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The results from the field and the laboratory analysis showed that the response of Bisi 321 variety to S. frugiperda attack was better than the other tested varieties. Based on the electrophoresis of the PCR results with the SNP2_MNBS_Alt primer, samples of corn varieties coded as V1 (Pertiwi 5), V3 (P-36), V6 (NK Super), V7 (Exotic), and V8 (Local) produced amplicons with the size of ±150 bp. The samples that did not have amplification were V2 (NK7328), V4 (Bisi 321), and V5 (Bisi 18). There is a possibility that the amplification results may indicate some degrees of tolerance clusters of corn varieties to S. frugiperda attack. Further validation is required to apply the SNP-based markers of corn to develop tolerant or resistant varieties. Keywords: Spodoptera frugiperda, RGA, SNP, Corn