Abstract:
Knowledge of fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) rearing, infestation
and development and precision screening protocols are preconditions for the successful introgression
of resistance genes into farmer-preferred varieties. We aimed to determine FAWdevelopmental stages,
screen tropical maize and select resistant lines under controlled conditions in Zambia. Field-collected
FAWsamples constituting 30 egg masses and 60 larvae were reared using maize leaf- and stalk-based
and soy- and wheat flour-based diets at 27 1 C, 60 5% relative humidity and 12 h day length.
The resulting neonates were separated into sets A and B. The life cycles of set A and field-collected
larvae were monitored to document the FAW developmental features. Set B neonates were used
to infest the seedlings of 63 diverse tropical maize genotypes. Egg, larva, pupa and adult stages
had mean durations of 2, 24, 20 and 12 days, respectively. Test maize genotypes revealed significant
differences (p < 0.05) based on FAWreaction types, with lines TL13159, TL02562, TL142151, VL050120
and CML548-B exhibiting resistance reactions, while CML545-B, CZL1310c, CZL16095, EBL169550,
ZM4236 and Pool 16 displayed moderate resistance. These genotypes are candidate sources of FAW
resistance for further breeding. This study will facilitate controlled FAW rearing for host screening in
the integration of FAW resistance into market-preferred maize lines.
