Infestation technique using cornstalks on biodegradable skewers (barbecue sticks) for field bioefficacy testing against the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee), in the Philippines

Issue Date

10-2016

Abstract

Pest resistant crops are primarily identified using bioefficacy studies. These studies entail the infestation of test insects onto candidate crops to screen for the desired resistance traits. An infestation technique using cornstalks on biodegradable skewers was developed to increase the efficiency of infestation of the Asian Corn Borer (ACB) for field bioefficacy testing for Bt and non-Bt corn products. Stalks of isoline maize, aged 30-40 DAP were sliced at about 1 cm thick and skewered onto pre-thinned toothpicks. The skewered corn stalks were placed into the infestation cup, and thereafter, the newly-hatched larvae were transferred using camel's hair brush. These cups were covered with tissue paper then stored for several days depending on the larval instar required for the infestation. During infestation the skewered cornstalks were placed inside the whorl, for vegetative stage infestation, or placed on the leaf sheath just below the flag leaf, for reproductive stage infestation. Living this technique consistent results for the damage ratings and larval counts were generated from both plant stages. Hence, this technique is an effective delivery system for field bioefficacy testing of pest-protected or pest-resistant corn hybrids.

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

30

Issue

2

Page

179

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

OSTRINIA FURNACALIS; COCONUTS; PEST INSECTS; PESTS OF PLANTS; PEST RESISTANCE; HYBRIDS; INFESTATION; PHILIPPINES

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