Nature of resistance in rice varieties against leaffolder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée)

Abstract

Nature of resistance against the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) was studied in 16 rke varieties selected on the basis of greenhouse feeding test. Resistant varieties as a group were less preferred for feeding by the larvae in a free choice test lasting 10 days. Cut leaf assay with limited choice brought out subtle differences among some of the test varieties In larval settling response. Larval preference was correlated positively with the leaf area damage noted In feeding test, per cent pupation and leaf width, and negatively with trichome density. However, oviposltton preference was neither distinct nor correlated with resistance or leaf morphology. An antibiosis component in the test varieties ARC 11128, Balam, Gorsa, ARC 7064 and Ptb 19 was distinctly manifested as reduced larval survival, lower pupation rate and pupal weights in comparison with the susceptible check. When neonate larvae were reared on the meridic diets containing the leaves of the varieties Darukasail, Balam or Ptb 12, antibiotic effects were much more pronounced in comparison with the larvae reared on the diet containing the leaves of the susceptible check TN 1.