Abstract:
A field trial was conducted with the aim of identifying
maize germplasms which confer increased productivity along with
resistance against fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith)
infestation. Seventeen local maize landraces were collected from
Ampara, Moneragala and Badulla districts and denoted as South
Eastern University of Sri Lanka (SEU) collections. These were
subsequently planted at Agrotech Park, Malwatta (DL2b) in yala
2020, and the responses were compared with Pacific-999. The
results revealed that several landraces naturally possessed improved
morphological, physiological, and yield traits. Early flowering was
found in SEU1 compared to variety Pacific-999. Similarly, SEU14
showed improved cob dry weight (112.34 ± 22.13g) and the highest
number of kernels per row (33.60 ± 2.63) while, SEU9 recorded
significantly higher LAI (1.79 ± 0.30) at the tasseling stage. The
natural resistivity against fall armyworm was found to be higher
in SEU14, SEU15, and SEU16. Cluster analysis revealed that three
distinct groups of landraces were found while Pacific-999 stands on
its own. The novel traits found in this germplasm could be further
confirmed through detailed photosynthetic and biomass trials with
molecular marker-assisted selection. Once the traits are reaffirmed,
they could be introgressed through maize plant breeding programs.
