Phenotypic Screening of Elite Rice Germplasms against Brown Planthopper [Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.)] for Identification of Resistant Donor Lines

Aims: To identify Brown Planthopper (BPH) resistant rice genotypes and categorize all the test entries based on their level of resistance against BPH.

Study Design: Completely Randomized Design.

Place and Duration of Study: Poly-house, Department of Entomology, Rice Research Centre, Agriculture Research Institute (ARI), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India, between June 2016 and July 2017.

Methodology: A total of 61 elite rice genotypes selected including resistant (PTB33) and susceptible check (TN1). All these test entries were screened against Brown Planthopper (BPH) using Standard Seedbox Screening Technique (SSST) inside poly-house conditions. Based on the Damage Score (DS) achieved during study, all entries were categorized into resistant (R), moderately resistant (MR), moderately susceptible (MS), susceptible (S) and highly susceptible (HS).

Results: Among 61 cultures, the resistant check PTB33 and BM71 exhibited R reaction to BPH with a DS of 3.0, while twelve cultures viz. Milyang 63, IET 23993, HHZ 5 DT-1 DT-1, HHZ 25 SAL DT-1 DT-1, Bobhu Kongbu, BPT 2671, BPT 2611, MTU 1121, MTU 1001, MTU 1010, RNR 23079 and GSR 234 exhibited MR reaction to BPH with a DS ranging between 3.1 to 5.0. The rest of the cultures showed MS and S reactions while the susceptible check, TN1 along with other 12 cultures exhibited HS reaction to BPH with a DS of 9.0.

Conclusion: Resistant and moderately resistant rice genotypes have been identified for development of BPH resistant lines. Further detailed studies are required to understand the underlying mechanisms of resistance among the R and MR genotypes.