Susceptibility Of Locally Grown Maize Varieties To Maize Weevil (sitophilus Zeamais Motsch)
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Date
2011Author
Tom, F. K.
Olubayo, F. M.
Muthomi, J. W.
Chemining’wa, G. N.
Type
PresentationLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Storage insect pests of maize cause weight and quality loss. Although insecticides and fumigants
are available, use of resistant varieties is preferred due to low cost, have no adverse effect on
environment and leave no toxic residues on food products. The objective of this study was to
evaluate locally grown maize varieties for susceptibility to maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais
Motsch). Sixteen varieties were screened in the laboratory and field over two growing seasons.
Grain samples from field experiments were incubated for two months and insect pests that
emerged counted and identified to species level. Insect-free and undamaged samples of each
variety were infested with unsexed four-week old weevils and incubated for three months and the
percentage grain damage, seed weight loss and number of F1 progeny determined. Varieties DK
8031 and H513 had significantly high (P≤0.05) infestation of up to 32 insects per 100 grams
while Katumani had no insect infestation. Inbred line CKPH080020 had significantly low index
of susceptibility, longer median development time, and number of F1 progeny. It was observed
that an increase in the F1 progeny resulted in increased seed damage and seed weight loss. The
study showed that there exists resistance among the maize varieties tested. The resistance in
some of the varieties tested could be useful in improving local popular maize varieties through
breeding. The resistant varieties identified could be further evaluated for possible promotion to
farmers in insect damage prone areas.