Genetic Analysis of Borer Resistance for Genotypes in Corn

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world as well as in Egypt. Maize plants are severely attacked by different species of Lepidoptera pests, referred to as corn borers. Sesamia cretica, the most prevalent corn borer in Egypt attacks young maize plants after emergence, causing death of these plants (dead hearts) and its capable of damaging older plants causing drastic yield losses. One of the most important methods for controlling insect pests in the context of integrated pest control is to grow insect-resistant cultivars. The first step in designing an efficient breeding program for resistance to a certain insect are to identify sources of resistance and to determine how plant behavior under insect attack is transmitted from the original parents to the improved cultivars.