Susceptibility of Maize Genotypes to Maize Weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

One possibility to protect the maize from storage pests is by developing genotypes that resistant to maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch). The research was aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of several maize genotypes including local variety to the maize weevil. Six genotypes i.e. SJA, G10-12-20, G10-1-3, G10-1-7, G10-1-20 and G10-1-17 and Tosari as local variety were used. No-choice assay under laboratory condition with observed variables was laid an egg and F1 progeny number, the median time of development and weight loss of infested kernel. The susceptibility index was assessed using Dobie’s susceptibility index. Results showed that the number of eggs laid by five females and infested samples weight loss were not significantly different between six maize genotypes as well as local variety. In contrast, the number of F1 progeny emerged was significantly different. Based on the susceptibility index, the maize genotype of G10-1-3 and G10-1-17 were resistant to the weevil. While other maize genotypes and local variety were considered as moderate resistant. Based on analysis of chemical and physical characteristic revealed that maize genotypes with higher of the total phenolic compound and physical hardness tend to resist from weevil damaged.