Screening of Rice Genotypes for Their Resistance Against Yellow Stem Borer and Leaf Folder

Abstract

Rice plant is subjected to attack by more than 100 species of insects, of which 20 species of economic importance cause 20-30% yield losses every year. Yellow stem borer (YSB: Scirpophaga incertulas) and leaf folder (LF: Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) of rice are considered as prime devastators responsible for major economic loss. Different rice genotypes (indigenous, aromatic and hybrids) were screened out against YSB and LF during kharif, 2010, 2011 and 2012 at Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, Hooghly, West Bengal to determine their level of resistance by recording dead heart, white ear head for YSB and damaged / folded leaves for LF. Three-year data indicated that rice hybrids viz. KRH 2, Arize 6444 and PHB 71 showed lowest level of dead heart incidence; CNRH 103, CNRH 105 and Arize 6444 with lowest incidence of white head; and PHB 71, CNRH 104 and CNRH 103 with high level of resistance against LF. Among indigenous rice genotypes, minimum dead heart incidence was recorded in Kumargore, Seetasail and Vaidehi, whereas white head incidence was minimum in Champakushi, Jaya Silet and Rupsail. The lowest level of LF infestation was noticed in Vaidehi, followed by Jaya Silet and Dudheswar. Aromatic rice genotypes viz. Tulaipanji, Pusa Basmati 1 and Badsabhog showed high level of resistance against dead heart, whereas low white head infestation was in Seetabhog, NC 324 and Radhunipagal. LF infestation was minimum in Tulaipanji, Seetabhog and Radhunipagal. These resistant genotypes would be useful for future breeding programme in achieving higher rice productivity. .