Inheritance of Pod Borer (Heliothis armigera) Resistance in Soybean

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate the gene action controlling resistance to pod damage from pod borer (Heliothis armigera). Seven crosses were tested against released larvae under natural conditions, while 4 crosses were tested under a 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 meter nylon net cage stocked with mass-reared larvae. Each cross comprised 6 generations of female parent (P1), male parent (P2), F1, F2 and backcross progenies (B1and B2) of both parents. Generation difference in pod damage percentages were detected in 3 crosses under natural conditions and 2 crosses under caged conditions. No heterobeltiosis based difference in percent pod damage was recorded for any cross. Generation mean analysis indicated that pod borer resistance was heritable number field conditions by additive gene effects in SJ5 x G 2102, SJ 5x G 2105 and SJ5 x G 8506. The same type of gene effect was detected in G 3473 x SJ5 and G 3473 x G 2102 under nylon net cage condition.